Just one problem: Santander’s mother, Yoleida, wanted him to stick with that No. 25 he wore throughout his career to great success with the Baltimore Orioles. That led to another potential complication, given that the number so dear to his mother’s heart had been worn by centre fielder Daulton Varsho in his two years with the team.

He may have been Plan C or D, but the Toronto Blue Jays finally landed a big-ticket free agent earlier this week when they signed slugger Anthony Santander to a five-year contract worth $92.5 million.