How Will Carlos Santana Fit In With the Minnesota Twins?

[Ted Schwerzler]

Still looking to fill out the 26-man roster prior to the beginning of Spring Training, Minnesota needed a right-handed bat. The opted to task Carlos Santana with the job, and the veteran brings plenty of experience to the organization. How does he fit into the lineup?

Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

After the Minnesota Twins traded Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners for a package that centered around pitchers Justin Topa and Anthony DeSclafani, the assumption was that a focus would be turned to the lineup. Shedding a few million in shipping out the veteran infielder, the Twins found a $5+ million option in the form of Carlos Santana.

Santana’s talents aren’t what they used to be, but he certainly fills a need. The Polanco trade and renewed optimism surrounding Byron Buxton's health has created at-bats at designated hitter, giving the Twins the ability to bring in someone of Santana's pedigree at a relatively affordable price. He will likely find a good share of his at-bats there. But he's also played first base, a spot that could provide him additional opportunities. 

On paper, first base is currently manned by only Alex Kirilloff, and while the surgery was less invasive than expected, he is coming off a labrum procedure this offseason. Had Minnesota not signed Santana, internal backup options would have been limited to Jose Miranda or a shifting of either Edouard Julien or Kyle Farmer.

Over the course of his more than 1,600 major league games, Santana has spent over 1,200 of them at first base. He moved out from behind the plate following the 2014 season, and has also sprinkled in time at designated hitter since. While the former catcher has not won any Gold Glove awards over the course of his career, he is markedly above average at first base. Posting a career best 11 DRS (defensive runs saved) in 2023 and leading all MLB first basemen, he put up 3 OAA (outs above average) as well. Notably, it's going to the line where the veteran shines most. Protecting those doubles that get to the corner remains invaluable from the first base position.

Providing some stability at first base, both from a health and production standpoint, was an opportunity for Derek Falvey to accomplish this offseason. A big splash like Rhys Hoskins probably wasn’t ever in the cards, but finding someone to work with Kirilloff could be huge going forward. Despite making some waves in the postseason last year, first base reared its head as a problem. Kirilloff was dealing with his shoulder injury that slowed him down the stretch, and a costly misplay against the Houston Astros cost Minnesota in the postseason.

Soon-to-be 38 years old, Santana isn’t coming to Minnesota with his eyes on Kirilloff’s job for the long term. What the franchise should be hoping for is that he can impart some wisdom on the 26-year-old, and that a renewed sense of health can serve the former first round pick well as he remains under team control through 2027.

The Twins have been at their best while playing good defense, but the numbers weren't kind to the Twins last season. Carlos Correa was not his normal self playing through a foot injury, and Julien was finding his way at second base. Kirilloff was limited to just a 500 inning sample at first, but he turned in a less-than-ideal -8 DRS with a -7 OAA. Having already been heavily platooned throughout the season by Baldelli, Minnesota will likely lean on the better .769 OPS mark that the left-handed Kirilloff has established against right-handed pitchers. Santana posted a stronger .807 OPS when facing southpaws last year, and the tandem should provide each an opportunity to remain fresh as the year goes on.

Of course the greatest impact to playing time could target Miranda. Playing just 40 games last season, and owning a 56 OPS+ before shutting things down, he will need to re-establish himself as an option going forward. Miranda will be 26 during the 2024 season and was looking to build off a rookie campaign in which he tallied a 114 OPS+. However, his production sagged as the year went on, and establishing consistency as the league adjusted to him was something the organization was waiting to see.

The signing of Santana also signifies a relatively heightened belief in the health of Byron Buxton. After being used exclusively as a designated hitter in 2023, the centerfielder established that he’s back for his former role in the year ahead. The Twins committing to a player with designated hitter tendencies in Santana suggests there is validity to that thought process. Minnesota could have opted to lengthen the lineup by adding a player like J.D. Martinez or Adam Duvall, but in targeting someone that didn’t play on the grass at all last year, it seems they have a feeling of where opportunities may lie. 

Having played 98 career games at Target Field, Santana knows his new ballpark well. He won’t be facing Twins pitching this year, but his .807 OPS and 17 home runs are something that Minnesota would love to see be accomplished in the home uniform. Stability at first base and an added threat in the lineup were an obvious goal for the winter, and now both have been accounted for.

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What do you make of the Santana signing? How do you feel about the Twins lineup as a whole now?

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[mrtwinsfan]

Tells me at least now front office and Rocco believe Byron can be the Main plan in C.F-- Compare all the Statements from last year up to the season,   does create a  whole different Mind set ,  Talent wise at  38 Santana can still help ? how much ? always liked his Plate approach, on the surface , to me Good signing, Compare this to Solano, Great move !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dman]

This looks like the Twins went for a cheaper option to replace Polanco's production at the plate.  I guess I can talk myself into this being a positive as he has plus defensive value doesn't K at a 30% rate and hits lefties fairly well.  He also is a base clogger as he doesn't run well and lacks versatility as well.  At 38 his best years are behind him, but he is still a productive player.  FWIW his stats last year aren't that far off from Polanco's, but it's just hard to get excited about this signing since it isn't a huge difference making bat.

[LeatherAntenna]

Is the metaphor here, two front office guys are playing 5 card stud, one believes Santana is is the answer as the card he draws is a third ten giving him a full house, the other guy chose Buxton to play center field and knows Buxton was ineffective as a DH, and is a sad gamble that he will play a long healthy centerfield, but is optimistic so he expects the card he needs to draw to win the card hand is 9 for an inside straight, and so he slides the card towards himself hoping as he turns it over…..

[madtowntwin]

As a Twins Fan in Wisconsin I witnessed the difference the addition of Carlos made to the Brew Crews bench later last season. He solidified the first base position and was solid at dh. His leadership presence was palpable to that young roster. His role was complementary, seasoned experience, and performance. We as Twins Fans are fully aware of his in-game impact when he was in his prime. Late last season the Brewers witnessed this up close and personal. Did signing Rhys Hoskins make this role redundant?? Milwaukee is about to find out....Santana has been a lucky name in the Twins organization thus far. His tank is obviously not empty. He can also do a killer guitar solo national anthem once in a while!! Win Twins. 

[Brandon]

I was initially bummed by the signing but he is basically Cuddyer with the bat.  Expect a .730-.760 OPS I prefer Solano at that price point.  I was hoping to get Martinez.  But the more I think about it the I realize I should expect nothing more than average.  I guess I’m getting spoiled with the Donaldson, Buxton extension, Correa and Correa again signings.  

[JoeCool]

I am disappointed in this offseason. I think the Twins should convert Johan Duran to. Starter to replace the loss of Sonny Gray. 

Royce Lewis to the outfield also makes a lot of sense with Brooks Lee knocking at the door. 

As for closer I would not mind seeing Varland getting the nod. His stuff really played up in the bullpen last year.  

[RpR]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

 He also is a base clogger as he doesn't run well and lacks versatility as well. 

He stole 6 bases last year, more than long legged Wallner.

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, madtowntwin said:

As a Twins Fan in Wisconsin I witnessed the difference the addition of Carlos made to the Brew Crews bench later last season. He solidified the first base position and was solid at dh. His leadership presence was palpable to that young roster. His role was complementary, seasoned experience, and performance. We as Twins Fans are fully aware of his in-game impact when he was in his prime. Late last season the Brewers witnessed this up close and personal. Did signing Rhys Hoskins make this role redundant?? Milwaukee is about to find out....Santana has been a lucky name in the Twins organization thus far. His tank is obviously not empty. He can also do a killer guitar solo national anthem once in a while!! Win Twins. 

Good to hear a positive report about Smooth's time in Milwaukee. He is used to playing every day, but I think the role for him with the Twins would be less than every day play unless Kirilloff is injured. I do hope Santana is a  positive clubhouse presence, which would make up somewhat for losing Polanco.  

[h2oface]

3 hours ago, RpR said:

He stole 6 bases last year, more than long legged Wallner.

I’d like to see them. Some kind of Defensive Indifference or charitable official scoring? Late in game that didn’t matter? Part of a double  steal? Or a “real” stolen base? They all count on the stat sheet, but Santana is sssllloooooowwww  And it is not like our Twins were prone to send a swift runner anyway.

 

[awmonahan]

I love how he takes at bats and I'm glad to not have another K machine. I'm not sure what he has left, so I hope their assessments are correct. 

Sad to see Miranda is likely still hurt and not in this year's plans. Feel bad for the guy. 

[Reptevia]

Decent plan to add an infield coach who can play sometimes. 

[weitz41]

I'm going to air on the positive side. 1st I've always liked Carlos Santana. He's just a baseball player. Will he replace Polanco's production? If he gets anywhere near close the Twins have an injury riddled season. It does make trading Kepler more of a possibility. Although I still think that's a low chance. Kirillof in left, Wallner in right and some combination of Buxton/Castro/Gordon/Martin in center isn't a bad outfield..I hope.. All in all it's a good signing. With good and bad to it but I lean to the good side.

[nicksaviking]

4 hours ago, Brandon said:

I was initially bummed by the signing but he is basically Cuddyer with the bat.  Expect a .730-.760 OPS I prefer Solano at that price point.  I was hoping to get Martinez.  But the more I think about it the I realize I should expect nothing more than average.  I guess I’m getting spoiled with the Donaldson, Buxton extension, Correa and Correa again signings.  

I had no problem signing a 1B, that was actually the one position I thought the Twins should target, but we defiantly should not expect a .730-.760 OPS player, he's done that one time in the past four years. The odds are that the team could have cycled through the numerous internal options and found a better hitter. It happens every single year lately.

We should hope for a nice season, but expect an offensive liability.

I'm not angry, I'm just not pleased. Unless the team has a clear hole and no internal options to fill it, I think you stay away from this caliber of free agent. Go with the clear upgrade, or stand pat. The ability to shuffle players with options through a roster spot is the most underrated aspect of building a team.

[RpR]

53 minutes ago, h2oface said:

I’d like to see them. Some kind of Defensive Indifference or charitable official scoring? Late in game that didn’t matter? Part of a double  steal? Or a “real” stolen base? They all count on the stat sheet, but Santana is sssllloooooowwww  And it is not like our Twins were prone to send a swift runner anyway.

 

At 25.9 his sprint speed is 34 out of 57 First Basemen last year.

.1 less than 29 year old Wade LaMonte Jr.

[Ted Schwerzler]

6 hours ago, Brandon said:

I was initially bummed by the signing but he is basically Cuddyer with the bat.  Expect a .730-.760 OPS I prefer Solano at that price point.  I was hoping to get Martinez.  But the more I think about it the I realize I should expect nothing more than average.  I guess I’m getting spoiled with the Donaldson, Buxton extension, Correa and Correa again signings.  

I think there is a very real path for Solano to regress significantly, and he's already not a great fielder at 1B. Santana brings a reliable approach with the glove.

[Brandon]

2 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I had no problem signing a 1B, that was actually the one position I thought the Twins should target, but we defiantly should not expect a .730-.760 OPS player, he's done that one time in the past four years. The odds are that the team could have cycled through the numerous internal options and found a better hitter. It happens every single year lately.

We should hope for a nice season, but expect an offensive liability.

I'm not angry, I'm just not pleased. Unless the team has a clear hole and no internal options to fill it, I think you stay away from this caliber of free agent. Go with the clear upgrade, or stand pat. The ability to shuffle players with options through a roster spot is the most underrated aspect of building a team.

His below average years are 2020 and 2021 when Covid got players to stop conditioning and get out of shape.  He has since rebounded the last two years to be an ever so slightly above average hitter.  I expect a 99 - 105 OPS season from him.  

[ashbury]

Underwhelmed.

[tony&rodney]

Santana is a consummate professional who will do everything within his power to contribute to the team. Falvey has signed him and that is finished so looking for others or wishing for redo's won't happen. 

The offseason is nearly over and the abundance of coverage and guesses on Twins Daily only missed by 100%, so I will have a laugh at myself for the suggestions that I made and wait for Opening Day.

[DocBauer]

It's not an exciting signing, but it's an inexpensive signing that fills a need. 

He's a solid career defensive 1B, can still, apparently, hit LHP, isn't completely feeble against RHP, and is a low risk move to share time with Kirilloff at 1B, PH, and maybe DH a little. 

If he's asked to do more than that, the offense might be in trouble. Still, he's a share/reserve 1B and Miranda doesn't have to be  counted on out of the gate and Severino doesn't have to be rushed.

Now, there should still be enough $ left to add a RH OF, whether it be the defense of Taylor, or the power of Duvall/Pham/Soler.

Then snag Odorizzi or similar on a Milb rebound deal for extra depth, and the ST roster looks about ready.

 

[nicksaviking]

5 hours ago, Brandon said:

His below average years are 2020 and 2021 when Covid got players to stop conditioning and get out of shape.  He has since rebounded the last two years to be an ever so slightly above average hitter.  I expect a 99 - 105 OPS season from him.  

It was over 900 plate appearances in 2020-21. He was a great player back in the day but no longer.

But even if he meets those goals of 100 OPS, Juilen, Wallner, Jeffers, Lewis, Miranda and even Lanrach and Gordon have surpassed that number unexpectedly when called upon in a season. And they keep leaving the runs created by those numbers in AAA or on the bench because the team is tethered to these vets which they have to keep on the roster. 

Santana was great in his prime, not for any particular trait other than his awesome OBP. Now he can't even top .320, even in a rebound year. Even a little regarded prospect like Anthony Prato can do that in his sleep. And he'd be like the third option at best at this point. They can do better internally. Big names do not equal an upgrade, just fanfare. I'm completely serious here, what will the state of this board be come April if Miranda is absolutely crushing in spring training and they have to send him down because Santana has a locked in roster spot? It's going to be really ugly.

[Brandon]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

It was over 900 plate appearances in 2020-21. He was a great player back in the day but no longer.

But even if he meets those goals of 100 OPS, Juilen, Wallner, Jeffers, Lewis, Miranda and even Lanrach and Gordon have surpassed that number unexpectedly when called upon in a season. And they keep leaving the runs created by those numbers in AAA or on the bench because the team is tethered to these vets which they have to keep on the roster. 

Santana was great in his prime, not for any particular trait other than his awesome OBP. Now he can't even top .320, even in a rebound year. Even a little regarded prospect like Anthony Prato can do that in his sleep. And he'd be like the third option at best at this point. They can do better internally. Big names do not equal an upgrade, just fanfare. I'm completely serious here, what will the state of this board be come April if Miranda is absolutely crushing in spring training and they have to send him down because Santana has a locked in roster spot? It's going to be really ugly.

Overall I’m not a huge fan of this deal.  But He does have value.  

[Doctor Wu]

I'm always skeptical about signing these ageing power hitters, but I was very wrong about Nelson Cruz when the Twins signed him, so maybe Santana will prove to be ageless too! On the surface it seems like a good signing on several levels, plus he can still play in the field. Hoping he stays healthy and productive, plus that always helpful "veteran presence" can't hurt either. 

[NotAboutWinning]

Trading for MAT last year was an indicator Buxton was not going to be ready for the start of the season. I have a feeling signing Santana says that about Kiriloff.

[twinfan]

This signing will not be evaluated until Buxton can actually stay on the field and Kiriloff can play. I don't see anything wrong with the signing and wonder why some were writing about his speed or lack of. He's not signed to steal bases. Let's see if Brooks Lee is actually ready and if we can get another good starter before we say the Twins will get to the World Series. Right now they will have a battle with Detroit and maybe Cleveland for the Division.

[sweetmusicviola16]

It's a poor signing. This will put to test the old adage of no such thing as a bad one year contract. 

I guess I just don't understand signing a 38 y/o guy who was just a fraction better than average last season. Because at 38 the chances of him being average again are very slim. The chances of him being significantly below average though is very high.

Honestly,these aren't the 2016 Twins anymore where these type of signings are acceptable. As one poster already said, "I'm not angry. But I'm not pleased.

You can and should have done better Falvey.

[baul0010]

20 hours ago, RpR said:

He stole 6 bases last year, more than long legged Wallner.

Carlos Santana stole 6 bases last year?  I wouldn't have made a bet that he's stolen 6 bases his entire career.  Good for the big fella.  

I'm glad everyone says he's a great clubhouse presence, but at 38, and with the breakthrough season we had last year, I was expecting more.  

From early comments it seemed the TV/streaming deal was going to be better than previous years. It's not.  I understand the loss of tv revenue put a lot on hold, but the Twins had to know we'd at least have a portion of money recouped.  The total lack of anything important this off-season has been very uninspiring.  

I hope all the momentum built last year continues because it was such a fun year.  I don't want to go back to disappointment.

[jmlease1]

22 hours ago, Brandon said:

I was initially bummed by the signing but he is basically Cuddyer with the bat.  Expect a .730-.760 OPS I prefer Solano at that price point.  I was hoping to get Martinez.  But the more I think about it the I realize I should expect nothing more than average.  I guess I’m getting spoiled with the Donaldson, Buxton extension, Correa and Correa again signings.  

I prefer Santana to Solano; Solano is not a good 1B and Santana is, Solano doesn't really possess splits and we're looking more for a platoon partner than an every day player, and Santana's strength at this point is hitting LHP. While Solano gives quality ABs, so does Santana, and Solano has zero pop in his bat despite his nickname while Santana still has that thump.

I wasn't all that high on Santana as an option when I thought Miranda would be healthy coming in to the season; right now it's looking like he's still not pass the injury and the surgery, which makes me like this move more. The fit is very good for this team, so long as Santana can still hit LHP. He did it last season while still playing basically full time; it's reasonable to think that when you shift him to a smaller role that the extra rest might keep him in good enough nick to cancel any further degradation due to age. He's definitely a better defensive player at 1B than anyone on our roster right now (Kirilloff has potential still but hasn't put it all together yet) so that's a nice bonus.

If Miranda were clearly recovered, I might have wanted us to spend the money elsewhere, but with his status looking shakier having a guy who can hit LHP and play quality 1B is a sound investment. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Gallo for Santana swap seems like a neutral swap. At 5m vs 11, more likely to see a bench role. I hated the Gallo signing, but I hate this one less. The lineup feels smushed together with several JAGs. It worked last year, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ what do I know?

 

 

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Gallo for Santana swap seems like a neutral swap. At 5m vs 11, more likely to see a bench role. I hated the Gallo signing, but I hate this one less. The lineup feels smushed together with several JAGs. It worked last year, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ what do I know?

 

 

I don't dislike the player, it could have been worse, but did it work last year? Doesn't last year's team have more wins had Jeffers, Wallner and Julien had 75-200 more PA each?