CLEVELAND — Carlos Santana, a familiar face in Cleveland, has returned to the Guardians for a third time, much to the delight of the fans. After leaving the team, he was still held in high esteem and greeted enthusiastically upon his return. Santana has signed a one-year deal worth $12 million, filling the void left at first base following the recent trade of Josh Naylor to Arizona.
The seasoned 38-year-old player spent the previous season with the Minnesota Twins, where he recorded a batting average of .238, hitting 23 home runs and driving in 71 runs over the course of 150 games played. Additionally, he earned his first Gold Glove award, making history as the oldest position player to achieve this honor for the first time.
Santana’s history with the Guardians dates back to 2010 through 2017, followed by a return in 2019, which culminated in his selection to the All-Star team. After two successful seasons, he became a free agent and subsequently signed with the Kansas City Royals. Throughout his impressive 15-year MLB career, Santana has accumulated 324 home runs and 1,082 RBIs across 2,080 games, firmly placing him as a significant player in the franchise.
Remarkably, Santana has demonstrated consistent performance throughout his career, managing to drive in a minimum of 60 runs and play at least 130 games for each of his 13 full seasons. His professional journey also includes playing for teams such as Philadelphia, Seattle, Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee.
As the Guardians’ main first baseman for the upcoming season in 2025, Santana steps into the role after the team traded Naylor to acquire right-hander Slade Cecconi and a competitive balance draft choice. Although players like Kyle Manzardo and Jhonkensy Noel are potential candidates for the first base position, the presence of Santana provides the team with the necessary experience, allowing them to develop younger talent at a measured pace. There is even a chance he could remain with the Guardians beyond 2025.
The front office has been reshaping the infield, highlighted by the recent trade of the Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez to Toronto, part of a multi-team deal also involving Pittsburgh. This strategy could be perceived as a gamble and perhaps unnecessary for an established team. Yet, Chris Antonetti, the president of baseball operations, emphasizes that both Naylor and Giménez came to Cleveland through trades and that making tough decisions involving talented players is sometimes essential.
“Our objective is to ensure competitive teams for both the near and distant future,” he stated. “While this may lead to challenging choices, our focus remains clear. In 2025, our aim is to secure a victory in the American League Central.”
