CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Guardians announced today that they have signed free agent first baseman Carlos Santana to a one-year Major League contract for the 2025 season.
Santana, 38, returns for his third stint with Cleveland, having previously spent 10 seasons with the team from 2010-17 and again in 2019-20. During his tenure with Cleveland, he earned a 2019 American League All-Star nod and a 2019 AL Silver Slugger Award. Santana ranks second in franchise history in walks (881), tied for sixth in home runs (216), and eighth in extra-base hits (503). Over his tenure, he batted a combined .251/.368/.450/.818 with 273 doubles, 14 triples, 216 homers, and 710 RBI in 1,334 games while posting a bWAR of 29.8.
Over his decorated 15-year Major League career, Santana has a slash line of .242/.354/.431/.785 with 393 doubles, 324 home runs, and 1,082 RBI in 2,080 games. His 1,278 walks lead all active players, and he currently ranks in the top 10 among active hitters in runs (6th, 1,058), hits (7th, 1,789), total bases (8th, 3,188), and doubles (5th, 393). The switch-hitter has demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout his career, appearing in at least 130 games and driving in 60 or more runs in each of his 13 full seasons in the Majors (excluding his rookie 2010 and the shortened 2020 seasons). He has ranked in the top 10 in the AL in walks 12 times during his career.
Santana spent the 2024 season with the Minnesota Twins, leading the team in homers (23), RBI (71), and walks (65). He captured his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award at first base, becoming the oldest position player in MLB history to win the honor for the first time while leading the AL with eight Defensive Runs Saved.
The 40-man roster is now at its limit of 40 players.
