Anthony Santander earns his first well-deserved Silver Slugger award

On Tuesday afternoon, MLB Network announced the 2024 Silver Slugger award winners. On the list for the first time in his career is former Orioles' outfielder Anthony Santander.

Santander had a career year in 2024, putting up a .235/.308/.506 slash line with 44 homers, 102 RBI, and 91 runs scored. He was a monster from the left side of the plate, slugging .513 with 32 homers in 485 plate appearances.

In addition to Santander, both Aaron Judge and Juan Soto of the Yankees rounded out the three American League outfield winners. Both of shortstop Gunnar Henderson and infielder Jordan Westburg received finalist status, but neither of those two wound up victorious.

Orioles' outfielder Anthony Santander takes home first career Silver Slugger award

For Santander, it's a nice sendoff as he gets set to leave Baltimore in free agency. It's certainly possible that he returns to the Orioles but his asking price is, understandably, significant. MLB Trade Rumors predicted earlier this offseason that Santander would sign a four-year deal worth $80 million. Other experts have suggested that he'll sign for north of $100 million, but something in the range of 4-5 years at $20 million per year is about where most people think he'll settle.

It's still unclear whether Orioles' boss Mike Elias wants to pay that price to retain the 30 year old. On one hand, the Orioles need that kind of slugger in the lineup each night. Santander's production won't be easily replaced and even though many of us are high on Heston Kjerstad, Santander's ability to hit well from both sides of the plate was a major boost for Brandon Hyde's nightly lineup construction.

How the Orioles go about filling the roster hole created by Santander's departure is one of the two major storylines of the offseason. There are a couple potential fits, including Teoscar Hernandez, who the Orioles have already been linked to. It's also possible that the O's go all out and try to acquire Soto, though he's likely going to set a record for the biggest contract ever. That would be very un-Orioles like to spend like that.

Hernandez seems a likely fit, given his age and relatively low cost to acquire him. Whether he'd be able to mash in Camden Yards with the cavernous left field is unclear. But one way or another, the Orioles need to address the roster. If Santander leaves, he'll be sorely missed.