The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with veteran first baseman Carlos Santana, reports The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon.
It’s a one-year deal worth $2 million, Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro adds.
Arizona had been in the market for a first baseman who could hit left-handed pitching, potentially to platoon with Pavin Smith. First baseman Tyler Locklear, a right-handed hitter acquired for Eugenio Suarez last summer, underwent elbow and shoulder surgeries this offseason and is uncertain for the start of the season.
The club had been linked to franchise legend Paul Goldschmidt for that reason but went in a different direction.
RELATED STORIES
Diamondbacks interested in free agent 1B Carlos Santana
Gambadoro reported that the Diamondbacks were interested in Santana for his clubhouse leadership and defense.
Santana has 16 years of MLB experience, having debuted in 2010 and spending last season with the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago Cubs. He made his lone All-Star team in 2019 and won a Gold Glove for his first base defense in 2024.
The switch-hitter is coming off a down year offensively but maintained a high level with his glove. He finished with 12 defensive runs saved (second in MLB) and eight outs above average (third).
After catching early in his career, Santana has become a particularly stout defensive first baseman over the past three years.
At the plate, Santana delivered a strong 2024 campaign for Minnesota with a .749 OPS, 23 home runs and 26 doubles. Those numbers dropped last year to a .633 OPS and 11 home runs. After a red-hot May, his numbers tanked.
He managed to perform better against lefties than righties, with a .664 OPS versus a .619 clip. His career numbers have fared better when hitting from the right side, where he has a faster swing that generates more contact, per Statcast.
Despite the struggles, he still worked better-than-average walk and strikeout rates, as he showed good plate discipline and put the ball in play.
In terms of experience, Santana ranks second in MLB among active players in games played with 2,204. Only Andrew McCutchen has participated in more.
He is sixth among active leaders with 404 doubles, right behind new teammate Nolan Arenado’s 405.
Santana also has 335 career home runs and could become only the seventh switch-hitter in MLB history with 350 home runs and 400 doubles in a career. Hall of Famer Carlos Beltran was the last player to accomplish it.
Follow @alexjweiner
Hence then, the article about 1b carlos santana agrees to sign with diamondbacks was published today ( ) and is available on Arizona sports ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 1B Carlos Santana agrees to sign with Diamondbacks )
Also on site :