The Minnesota Twins have made a significant addition to their roster, signing veteran first baseman Carlos Santana to a one-year deal worth $5.25 million. Santana, who will turn 38 in April, brings his experience and power-hitting abilities to the team.
In the 2023 season, Santana split his time between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Milwaukee Brewers, where he showcased his offensive prowess. He recorded a batting average of .240, smacked 23 home runs, and tallied 86 RBIs across 146 games. Notably, Santana was traded to the Brewers in July, adding depth to their lineup.
The acquisition of Santana is seen as a move to offset the offensive loss caused by the trade of second baseman Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners earlier in the week. Polanco, a switch-hitter, contributed significantly to the Twins’ offense in the previous season, with a .255 batting average, 14 home runs, and 48 RBIs in 80 games.
The Minnesota Twins have their sights set on returning to the playoffs for the fifth time in eight years. They clinched the American League Central division title in 2023 and made it to the AL Division Series after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the wild-card round. Unfortunately, their postseason journey ended against the Houston Astros.
While the Twins have other options at first base, such as Alex Kirilloff and Jose Miranda, injuries and inconsistency have plagued their performances. Santana’s signing aims to provide stability and depth to the position.
Carlos Santana’s return to the AL Central marks a homecoming of sorts, as he made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians in 2010. He spent the majority of his first 11 years in the majors with the team, earning an All-Star selection in 2019 when he batted .281 with 34 home runs and a career-best 93 RBIs in 158 games.
Throughout his career, Santana has been known for his power at the plate, amassing 301 home runs and 1,011 RBIs in 1,930 games. His journey in the MLB has seen him play for various teams, including the Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Seattle Mariners. Now, he returns to the AL Central, ready to contribute to the Minnesota Twins’ pursuit of success in the 2024 season.