This winter might not be shaping up to be the payday Anthony Santander hoped it would be.

Santander, 30, hit free agency for the first time in his career this offseason on the heels of a career-best campaign with the Orioles. The veteran outfielder hit a personal-high 44 home runs and 102 RBIs, made his first All-Star appearance and won a Silver Slugger Award. Seeking a long-term deal, Santander declined Baltimore’s $21.05 million qualifying offer in October and entered the open market among the top hitters available.

However, The Athletic reported Saturday that Santander is among the remaining free agents “open to considering short-term deals with high average annual values” along with right-hander Jack Flaherty, another former Oriole. While many of the top players available this winter have already signed, Santander joins Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso and Flaherty as notable free agents who have yet to find a new home with spring training only a month away.

The Orioles appeared to signal they were ready to move in a different direction in December when they signed outfielder Tyler O’Neill to a three-year, $49.5 million deal with a player option after the 2025 season. Between O’Neill, reigning American League Rookie of the Year Award runner-up Colton Cowser, defensive stalwart Cedric Mullins and recently graduated top prospect Heston Kjerstad, the Orioles’ outfield depth chart showed no obvious holes.

“I think Tyler O’Neill fits in perfectly with that group,” executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said at the winter meetings in December. “He’s a good defender and he can play center field if you need him to, but he’s really good at both corners. He’s a guy that can run a little bit here and there. He’s still very young, he’s 29 years old. This was a good roster fit and something that we were lacking.”

Santander’s free agent profile was not without its warts. He owns a career .307 on-base percentage, relying on his power for the majority of his offensive production, and his defense didn’t fare well by most advanced metrics the past few seasons. The qualifying offer could also be working against him; any team other than the Orioles that chooses to sign him must be willing to sacrifice significant draft capital in compensation.

For the Orioles, who have already increased spending under first-year owner David Rubenstein and have potential extensions for some of their young stars to consider, a long-term commitment to a player such as Santander might not have fit their plans. But a shorter-term deal, while forcing some creative roster adjustments, might make more sense.

While the Orioles’ outfield is already deep, it also skews left-handed. Jorge Mateo’s status is uncertain as he works his way back from elbow surgery and top prospect Coby Mayo remains in the infield for now, making O’Neill the only right-handed hitter of the bunch. The switch-hitting Santander could form a rotation with O’Neill and Kjerstad at the corner outfield and designated hitter spots while also allowing the Orioles to sit Mullins against left-handed starters, something they did often down the stretch last season.

The Orioles have shown a propensity for leaning on platoon advantages, and the addition of Santander would allow them to maximize those edges. A lineup against right-handed starters could include Cowser in left field, Santander in right, Mullins in center and Kjerstad at DH. Against left-handers, the Orioles could trot out a batting order with Santander and O’Neill at the corners, Cowser in center and Adley Rutschman at DH with Gary Sánchez behind the plate.

Baltimore could also use the logjam to its advantage by trading one of its hitters for pitching help, particularly at the front end of the rotation. The Orioles have signed two starters, Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano, this winter but neither is of the same caliber as the departed Corbin Burnes. With Morton, Sugano and Zach Eflin all due to reach free agency again next winter, the Orioles will need a starting pitcher with long-term control at some point.

Kjerstad was often squeezed out of the Orioles’ crowded roster over the past two years and he’s only recorded 147 plate appearances in the majors despite showing mastery of the Triple-A level. If the Orioles re-signed Santander, his path to regular playing time would once again become murky and he would become an immediate trade candidate. They could also entertain a deal for first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who has two years left on his deal. Santander has played first base before and would be able to rotate in there with Ryan O’Hearn and Mayo.

It would take some juggling, but a short-term deal for Santander can’t be ruled out given the two sides’ long history. The Orioles acquired the Venezuelan native in the 2016 Rule 5 draft and he developed into one of their most potent middle-of-the-order hitters. Last season, he also took on a greater leadership role in the clubhouse and helped carry their offense for the greater part of the second half as injuries depleted their roster.

As far as pillow contracts go, Baltimore would be as comfortable a landing spot as any.

Baltimore Sun reporter Jacob Calvin Meyer contributed to this article. Have a news tip? Contact Matt Weyrich at mweyrich@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/ByMattWeyrich.