“I would like to stay here for the rest of my career” - Anthony Santander opens up on desire to be with the Orioles despite off-season free agency
Outfielder Anthony Santander's role for the Baltimore Orioles this season has been nothing short of invaluable. The longest-tenured member of the team, Santander's experience has paid dividends, while his hitting has set an example for the club's younger stars.
A member of the O's since 2017, the 29-year-old Santander will see his one-year, $11.7 million deal expire at the end of the season. In the midst of a career campaign, the Venezuelan recently indicated that if he had his way, he would remain with the only MLB team that he's ever known.
In recent comments to Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com, Anthony Santander recently discussed his future. Although he conceded that he has not had any talks regarding an extension in Baltimore, Santander wants to remain with the team, telling Melewski:
"This is the team that gave me the opportunity to play in the big leagues. I like where we are right now. We are a really good team. This team is about to get in a World Series soon, hopefully this year. Of course I would like to stay here for the rest of my career. ... So happy and thank you for the fans that want me to stay here.”
With a record of 68-48, the Orioles are tied with the New York Yankees for the top spot in the AL. An exceptionally talented ballclub, Baltimore's 179 home runs this season lead all of MLB, with Santander personally responsible for a team-leading 34 of them.
"One of my wishes is for the Orioles to resign Anthony Santander this offseason" - Kam Brice
Driven forth by young stars like Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser and Gunnar Henderson, the new cohort of Baltimore Orioles players have pundits tapping them for an early-World Series favorite.
Anthony Santander brings a unique perspective to world-beating O's
Over the past two seasons, the Orioles have won 169 games, which is more than any other team in MLB. However, in the years between 2018 and 2021, no team won fewer games. Anthony Santander, one of the last remaining veterans of those days, has a unique perspective on winning. As O's manager Brandon Hyde told MASN:
“Some nights we’ve jumped on his back. Because he wants to win so bad. And is playing so well defensively for us and then the homers. You hear him in the dugout – really encouraging others. Just playing outstanding baseball."
Whatever comes of Santander's campaign to remain in Baltimore, there remains much to be done before the offseason for Santander and the entire O's roster.