Blue Jays make Anthony Santander announcement amid .175 batting average

The Toronto Blue Jays haven't had much success in finding star free agents over the past few offseasons. It's been part of the reason why the team hasn't been as good as they were hoping to be, but they found a way to sign Anthony Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million deal in the winter. 

Despite the impressive signing, Santander has been brutal, currently one of the worst offensive players in Major League Baseball. 

He's hitting .175 with four home runs and has struck out 31 times in 114 at-bats.

However, perhaps things are starting to turn around a bit, as Santander hit a massive home run for the Blue Jays on Wednesday night. Santander left the yard for a three-run homer in the bottom of the 7th inning, and scored the eventual game-winning run in extra Innings over the Red Sox.

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According to skipper John Schneider, the Blue Jays are very excited about what they saw on Wednesday night. Schneider added that the team can feed off this energy and how important it was for Santander to make a swing like that.

“It’s huge for a guy that we’re going to count on for a long time,” Schneider said of Santander, per The Athletic. “Not just this year, but going forward. It’s a big hit.”

“A win like this can do a lot for you,” manager John Schneider said. “You know, I think it brings guys together. And when you’re going through a little bit of a tough stretch, you’re waiting for something like this.”

It hasn't been a pretty start for the switch-hitting outfielder, but Santander was excellent last season and has been for the better part of the past five years.

 He posted a 133 OPS+ with 44 home runs a year ago. 

Even if his power numbers dip a bit, if he can get that number to 35 and have around a 120 OPS+, the Blue Jays will be content.