The Minnesota Twins needed a new first baseman for 2024 . The prerequisites seemed to be a slugger that could bat from the left side. Instead of paying Rhys Hoskins, they gave 38-year-old Carlos Santana $5.25 million . He has been a great addition, and has done it in style.
Carlos Santana flashing the leather for the Minnesota Twins
Since the beginning of the season Carlos Santana has stood out for the Minnesota Twins. Of course he’s a veteran that has destroyed the club as a member of the opposition . He also quickly made his presence felt in the clubhouse . His pink glove has been more than notable on the field as well. ESPN’s Jeff Passan called it the best of the year. He wanted to win a Gold Glove, and Santana was bringing his mom along for the ride.
“Good, his mom said. Then go do it. No longer was this goal just for himself. It was for his mom now, too. And she needed to be there with him every step of the way. So he reached out to Rawlings with a request: He wanted a pink first baseman’s mitt with his mother’s name stitched on the side. She was going to be there with him the entire way. Nearly six months later, that pink glove is worn and tattered, caked with dirt and the other sorts of nastiness that decorates leather after a season spent scooping low throws and picking hot shots. And by every indication, he’s going to fulfill his goal. At 38 years old and in his 15th season, Santana leads American League first basemen in almost every major defensive metric, and he tops all first basemen in outs above average and fielding run value. “
At this point Santana should be a runaway winner for his first Gold Glove award. He has unquestionably been the best first baseman in the American League, if not baseball as a whole. Managers and coaches vote on Gold Glove awards. At times they have gotten lost in offensive production for the award, but that has taken a turn in recent seasons.
Santana’s 111 OPS+ shouldn’t be enough for him to be overlooked defensively. 15 years into his major league career, it seems like the veteran could pick up a new individual award for the first time. He’ll do it all while wearing a pink glove.
Will the Twins bring Carlos Santana back?
It wouldn’t be the first time that Minnesota has re-upped with an aging veteran. The Twins employed Nelson Cruz at age 38 and 39 before sending him to Tampa Bay as a 40-year old. Like Santana, he provided significant production despite his age. It came at a much higher cost however, and Santana shouldn’t be expected to make just $5.25 million again next season.
It’s likely that the Twins will need to further scale back payroll with uncertain television revenues. If that’s the case, then paying Santana something like $7 or $8 million for a year becomes a luxury. They would also like to cut ties a year too early rather than doing it a year too late.
Minnesota’s infield could get a bit crowded in 2025 if everyone can remain healthy. That’s certainly not close to a guarantee and puts a good amount of belief in both Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis . It is possible that both Edouard Julien or Jose Miranda move to first base. The ship seems to have sailed for Alex Kirilloff .
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