The Carlos Santana Fit Is Just Too Smooth

[Lou Hennessy]

The Twins are still on the lookout for a difference-making right-handed bat. Could an old friend of Derek Falvey’s be a clean fit for the club? 

With Jorge Polanco and his reasonable salary headed to the Seattle Mariners, the Twins will look to reinvest that allotted money back into their roster. More specifically, the club is seeking to use the roughly $4 million they saved in the deal on some support in the right-handed slugger department. 
Enter Carlos Santana.
The longtime division rival may be in the twilight of his career at age-37, but he would still check a lot of the boxes that remain on the Twins’ off-season wish list. While many continue to hope that the club would make a blockbuster splash this off-season, bringing Santana into the fold as a designated hitter/first-base platoon partner with Alex Kirilloff would be a frugal way to add a bonafide southpaw-crusher to the Twins’ roster. And Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey certainly has familiarity with the switch-hitting slugger, since the two spent years together in the Cleveland Guardian organization until 2016. So maybe it’s time to call his old friend and ask “¿Oye como va?”

Sure, someone along the lines of Jorge Soler or JD Martinez might offer a higher offensive ceiling than Santana, but it’s assumed that they would require a heftier payday, with less of a defensive fit. Soler is also known to be seeking a multi-year deal, which is probably not in the cards for the Twins at this time. 
Santana could likely be had on a one-year deal, similar to the one he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates last off-season. His contract guaranteed him a modest $6.75 million salary, which nearly matches the $4 million they opened up with the Polanco trade when combined with the outgoing $2.5 million they allotted to Donovan Solano in 2023. 
Santana’s bat has toed the league-average mark over the last two seasons (101 wRC+), but his numbers against left-handed pitching continue to be quite valuable (118 wRC+ in 2023, 133 wRC+ in 2022). If he continues to hold on to that type of production against southpaws in 2024, it would pair seamlessly with the .858 OPS that Kirilloff put up against righties in a limited sample last season. 
Defensively, Santana still boasts above-average range at first base, and would be an improvement over Solano or Jose Miranda. And the likely short nature of his deal wouldn’t preclude the Twins from continuing to develop Miranda within their system after suffering an injury-marred 2023 campaign. Santana might even be able to provide him with more veteran guidance as he continues to learn the position going forward. 
Of course, there is a downside to Santana’s game as he approaches his 38th birthday. His batted-ball numbers took a significant dip last season, especially when it came to hard hit percentage (down 8.7% from 2022). Santana has also sunk to the lower depths of the league in terms of sprint speed (17th percentile since 2021), which the club has made a concerted effort to improve in recent years. 
But on paper, the benefits to a potential reunion between Santana and Falvey seem to outweigh the drawbacks. And one way or another, the Twins need to find a way to improve their production against left-handed pitching, which happens to be Santana’s best asset. The fit is just too smooth to ignore. 
So give us that bat. Make it real, Or else forget about it. 

What do you think? Would an addition of Carlos Santana on a modest one-year deal elevate this team as constructed heading into spring training? Who would you rather see them bring in via free agency or trade? Let us know in the comment section below, and as always, keep it sweet. 
 

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[MN_ExPat]

I usually try to be very pragmatic about these things and try to find at least something positive about it, but... on this one, I just can't.  I'll be honest, I've never been a big fan of Santana even though in his prime he was a pretty decent player, and I'm always for the team finding creative ways to get even just a little bit better...  

However, this idea doesn't seem like it would be the best fit.  That being said, I would still pull for him as a player and team if they did bring him in (it's just what you do), but I truly think there are just as good options out there or internally that could also fit the bill.

[stringer bell]

Santana is a switch hitter and good defender at first base. That works for the Twins. He would be amenable to a one-year deal, I'm sure, since he turns 38 on the next solar eclipse. He hits lefties quite well, both last year and through his career and he's a very selective hitter. 

The only part that doesn't fit is that he isn't an outfielder. With Kepler and Wallner as the regular corner outfielders, it would be ideal to have a fourth OF who hits lefties well. 

[jmlease1]

well, no 1-year deal is going to be that terrible, but I'm a little concerned that Santana is hitting the wall at this point. I'm also not sure how well he really fits as a platoon bat: he hits lefties well, but has never really been a destroyer of them, and his splits over the last 3 years aren't that encouraging...and neither are his career splits. (He's been better against lefties, but there's not a giant difference). But the other aspect his...how well would he accept the role as a platoon bat? he's been a starter full-time for 13 seasons, including last year.

he'll be better defensively than Jose Miranda or Donovan Solano, but a healthy Miranda might be significantly better as a hitter. Solano won't give you any power at this point, and he won't give you a real boost against LHP, but he will give you professional ABs. 

I guess the other thing i worry about with this club is Sunk Cost Fallacy on these kind of veteran signings. Look at how long Gallo hung around on the roster before getting dropped. Now, injuries played a huge part of that, but if Santana is cooked and Miranda is destroying the ball in AAA, will they eat the remaining $4M or so of a Santana contract to bring up Miranda or will they keep hoping to get back some of the value and hope that Santana turns it around? That worked for Kepler, but bombed for Gallo. but Kepler is also 7 years younger than Santana (and had an option year left on the contract).

Rolling with the kids worked better for the team last season. Think i would pass.

[DJL44]

Santana is a good fit. Duvall is also good fit because he can play outfield as well as 1B. Sounds like the Twins are talking to both of them.

[danielp19653]

The drop from 133 to 118 against lefties in a year is a bit concerning to me given the age, if it falls the same amount again he's just a league average hitter against lefties and I'd rather see the at bats go to someone younger like Miranda or Severino

[DJL44]

I also liked the suggestion of trading for Connor Joe of the Pirates that was in another thread.

[Linus]

Don’t want to derail this thread but we are now looking to maximize the $4 million in savings from the Polanco deal?  The Pohlads need to be seriously roasted for the way they are setting the payroll this year. Why have the fans just accepted this crap?

[Harrison Greeley III]

I just want to say blasting the intro to 'Smooth' every time he strikes out at Target Field all these years is a fantastic long-running gag. 

I'm going to pass on liking this idea, but I would get it if they did. 

[Karbo]

There has to be better options out there. If not I go with the kids.

[stringer bell]

55 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

I guess the other thing i worry about with this club is Sunk Cost Fallacy on these kind of veteran signings. Look at how long Gallo hung around on the roster before getting dropped. Now, injuries played a huge part of that, but if Santana is cooked and Miranda is destroying the ball in AAA, will they eat the remaining $4M or so of a Santana contract to bring up Miranda or will they keep hoping to get back some of the value and hope that Santana turns it around? That worked for Kepler, but bombed for Gallo. but Kepler is also 7 years younger than Santana (and had an option year left on the contract).

Rolling with the kids worked better for the team last season. Think i would pass.

There's always the Injured List, I sure Santana could have a turned ankle or infected toe. IMHO, whoever the Twins would acquire should be a regular (130 games or more), not just a platoon bat. If the guy isn't good enough to be that, go with the guys in the organization. 

[DJL44]

40 minutes ago, Linus said:

Don’t want to derail this thread but we are now looking to maximize the $4 million in savings from the Polanco deal?  The Pohlads need to be seriously roasted for the way they are setting the payroll this year. Why have the fans just accepted this crap?

I'm fine with them not spending much money on position players. They have a decent starting lineup (Kirilloff is the weakest starter) and depth in the high minors but need to improve the bench with an additional RH bat. That doesn't have to be expensive.

They needed to spend the money on starting pitching. DeSclafani makes them better than they were but that statement is damning on it's own.

[DocBauer]

Adam Duvall still makes the most sense to me. Does the $ work? Would he do 1 year? 

Solid bat, and can play all 3 OF spots. And while he has some past injury issues, he needs to be a regular in the Twins lineup, but doesn't have to be an every day player.

[farmerguychris]

 I just don't see this happening.

1 - He's not the Santana of the past at his age 38 season

2 - I really think this team likes having the ability to fill the DH role by slotting it with someone who needs a day off in the field.  

This ownership likes its players to be able to handle multiple/different roles.  Having someone who can only play DH and 1B contradicts that plan.

[ashbury]

I'd pay more for a ticket to see the 76-year old musician, who I suspect still has more remaining in the tank than the soon-to-be 38-year old first baseman.

[Heiny]

I can't say I hate the idea, but if it were up to me, i would pass.  Whatever resources we have to spend should be put towards top end starting pitching.  A @2 or @3 guy.  We have right handed bats in the minors that I would like to give a chance.  Austin, Lee, Severino.  Trade Gordon for whatever you can get and open up a spot for some higher ceiling youth.  I also haven't given up on Larnach and Miranda for OF/IN bench spots.  If we ever get a tv contract maybe they would open the checkbook for a Montgomery.

[Fatbat]

At what point do we count on younger players to take the bull by the horns? I understand that we need big bats but isn't that what we have a farm system for? This idea seems like its Joey Gallo 2.0 

[JD-TWINS]

10 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

well, no 1-year deal is going to be that terrible, but I'm a little concerned that Santana is hitting the wall at this point. I'm also not sure how well he really fits as a platoon bat: he hits lefties well, but has never really been a destroyer of them, and his splits over the last 3 years aren't that encouraging...and neither are his career splits. (He's been better against lefties, but there's not a giant difference). But the other aspect his...how well would he accept the role as a platoon bat? he's been a starter full-time for 13 seasons, including last year.

he'll be better defensively than Jose Miranda or Donovan Solano, but a healthy Miranda might be significantly better as a hitter. Solano won't give you any power at this point, and he won't give you a real boost against LHP, but he will give you professional ABs. 

I guess the other thing i worry about with this club is Sunk Cost Fallacy on these kind of veteran signings. Look at how long Gallo hung around on the roster before getting dropped. Now, injuries played a huge part of that, but if Santana is cooked and Miranda is destroying the ball in AAA, will they eat the remaining $4M or so of a Santana contract to bring up Miranda or will they keep hoping to get back some of the value and hope that Santana turns it around? That worked for Kepler, but bombed for Gallo. but Kepler is also 7 years younger than Santana (and had an option year left on the contract).

Rolling with the kids worked better for the team last season. Think i would pass.

You make my point in that Miranda has options and needs to force his way on to the roster………if he’s healthy & if he might hit well & admitting he’s a lesser defender than Santana.

Santana is a solution.

I think Solano, for continuity after Polanco was moved, would be a good $3.5M spent as an alternative to Kirilloff - because of the added power, I like Santana even more at $6M.

Probably best to go with internal youth and sort out which guy deserves the RH AB’s at 1B…….save the $$. It’s worth mentioning that to do nothing is a decision - relying on Miranda could be a big mistake. I’d rather eat $3-4M after a guy is released in June and Miranda is raking v. not having any alternative to Miranda & watch him hit .218!

[Shaitan]

I don't think $6.75million is cheap if he's only signed to bat against LHP.  That's a lot of money per AB. The money could be better spent elsewhere.

[tony&rodney]

Bellinger is a good fit, maybe Soler. That is about it right now. So the Twins need to just go with what they have in some combination of Trevor Larnach, Joe Miranda, Nick Gordon, Austin Martin, Anthiny Prato, and Michael Helman. Enough with the retreads and veteran has beens. Don't pay more than $2 million for Duvall or any of the others still out there. Bellinger? Soler? Does anyone really think the Twins are signing these players to multi-year big money contracts?

[Whitey333]

Santana doesn't move the needle much for me.  We may as well go with one of our internal options.  This team does have a lot of holes.  Not gaping one really but holes none the less.  The starting pitching while great last year is now iffy.  Too.many unproven starters and players you hope do well.  Same with the young talent.  Very good potential but very unproven.  Best thing would be for the young guys to step up and show their potential.

[Otaknam]

A right handed hitting outfielder is more important, given the current roster makeup. But this move wouldn’t surprise me, given Falvey’s Cleveland roots. It would push Miranda off the 26 man roster, though, as platooning at first against lefties and DH occasionally seems to be his ticket to the active roster. But spending some time in the minors to learn a new position and regain his confidence at the plate is not a bad idea.