The Diamondbacks have added a seasoned bat to their lineup, agreeing to a one-year, $2 million deal with veteran first baseman Carlos Santana, according to sources. The club has yet to officially announce the signing, but the move gives Arizona a right-handed complement to lefty Pavin Smith at first base - a piece they’d been searching for this winter.
Santana brings more than just a switch-hitting presence to the desert. He brings 16 years of big-league experience, a résumé that includes an All-Star selection, a Gold Glove, and a reputation as one of the most disciplined hitters of his generation. His 1,330 career walks lead all active players, and his .352 career on-base percentage and 112 OPS+ speak to a player who, at his best, has always found ways to contribute offensively - even when the hits weren’t falling.
That said, 2025 wasn’t vintage Santana. Now 39 and turning 40 in April, he struggled to find his rhythm at the plate.
Across 124 games split between the Guardians and Cubs, Santana posted a .219/.308/.325 slash line with 11 home runs and a career-low 77 OPS+. The contact quality wasn’t there - his 37.8% hard-hit rate was the third-lowest of his career, and his strikeout rate (19.2%) spiked to a personal high.
He also chased more than ever before, with a 24.8% chase rate and a career-low 52.6% contact rate on those swings.
The Guardians released him in late August, and the Cubs gave him a short look in September. But even in a down year, Santana showed he still has some juice left in the bat.
He recorded 28 batted balls at 105.1 mph or harder - and when he squared it up, the results were there, with a .607 average on those swings. He even notched a 113.2 mph single against the Red Sox back in April, his hardest-hit ball of the season.
Add in 21 multi-hit games, including a pair of three-hit performances, and there were still glimpses of the hitter who’s made a career out of grinding out tough at-bats.
Perhaps most importantly, the plate discipline hasn’t disappeared. Santana’s 11% walk rate still ranked in the 80th percentile across the league, a testament to his eye and approach even during a down year. And with no qualifying offer attached - he received one back in 2017 - the D-backs won’t owe any Draft compensation for the signing.
For Arizona, this is a low-risk, potentially savvy move. Santana doesn’t need to carry the offense.
He just needs to provide veteran presence, work counts, draw walks, and occasionally run into one. If he does that, he could be a valuable piece for a club looking to build on recent momentum and make another postseason push.