Guardians Sign Veteran First Baseman Carlos Santana

The Cleveland Guardians are reuniting with a familiar face by signing veteran first baseman Carlos Santana to a one-year, $12 million contract. This agreement marks Santana's third stint with the Guardians, after bouncing around MLB over the past few years. The deal is pending a physical.

Carlos Santana, 38, has had a notable 15-year career, including stints with the Royals, Mariners, Pirates, Brewers, and Twins since 2021. He hit .238/.328/.420 with 23 home runs and won his first Gold Glove in 2024 while playing for Minnesota. Known for his consistent mid-level power and stellar plate discipline, Santana's career numbers include a .242/.354/.431 slash line with 324 home runs and 1,082 RBIs.

This move comes shortly after the Guardians traded first baseman Josh Naylor to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The trade, which included right-handed pitcher Slade Cecconi and a competitive-balance Round B pick, was part of Cleveland's ongoing effort to fine-tune their roster. Naylor, who made his first All-Star team in 2024, leaves a gap that Santana is well-equipped to fill.