After a pair of promising seasons, the Arizona Diamondbacks took a step back last year, finishing with a losing record and watching some key pieces from their 2025 Opening Day roster walk out the door. And while the front office made a splash by acquiring eight-time Gold Glover Nolan Arenado to lock down third base, there’s still a noticeable gap at first. That’s where veteran Carlos Santana enters the conversation.
According to Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro, the D-backs have serious interest in bringing in Santana as a free agent. While nothing is imminent, Arizona is reportedly exploring multiple options at first base, and Santana’s name is near the top of that list.
Why? It’s not just his glove or his bat-it’s the intangibles.
The Diamondbacks see Santana as someone who can stabilize the right side of the infield alongside Ketel Marte, offering not only solid defense but also veteran leadership in a clubhouse that skews young. That kind of presence can’t be overstated, especially for a team trying to reestablish its footing after a disappointing year.
Santana, who turns 40 this year, is coming off a split 2025 campaign that saw him start with the Cleveland Guardians-his third stint with the club-before being released in late August. He finished the season with the Chicago Cubs, posting a .219/.308/.325 slash line with 11 home runs and a .633 OPS over 124 games.
Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but Santana’s value goes beyond the stat sheet. He’s a steady defensive presence with a Gold Glove to his name and a long track record of being a respected voice in the dugout.
Arizona's need at first base is magnified by the departures of Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez, two key contributors who were dealt at the trade deadline after strong first halves. Neither will be returning.
Naylor made his decision early this offseason, locking in a five-year, $92.5 million deal to stay with the Seattle Mariners. He earned that payday after slashing .295/.353/.462 with 20 home runs, 92 RBIs, and a 128 OPS+ in 2025.
Suárez, meanwhile, just came off the free-agent board. The power-hitting third baseman agreed to a one-year, $15 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds, with a mutual option for 2027 worth $16 million.
Suárez put up a .228/.298/.526 line last season, belting 49 home runs with 119 RBIs and a 126 OPS+. That kind of production will be tough to replace, even with Arenado now in the fold.
So where does that leave the D-backs? Still searching.
They’ve patched one infield hole, but first base remains a question mark. Santana isn’t a long-term solution, but he could be the right short-term fit-especially for a team that needs stability, leadership, and a bit of edge to get back into the win column.
The Diamondbacks aren’t done yet, and while nothing is final with Santana, the interest is real. If a deal gets done, it won’t just be about numbers. It’ll be about culture, chemistry, and giving this roster the veteran backbone it needs to compete in a tough NL West.