CLEVELAND, 0hio — The Guardians have reportedly placed first baseman Carlos Santana on outright waivers.
Last weekend in Texas, manager Stephen Vogt told reporters that Santana, 39, was going to lose playing time to Kyle Manzardo and C.J. Kayfus because the Guardians wanted to get a longer look at the younger players at first base and DH.
The Guardians signed Santana to a one-year $12 million deal in December to replace free agent first baseman Josh Naylor, who signed with Arizona and was traded to Seattle at the deadline.
When a player is placed on outright waivers, the 29 other teams in the big leagues can submit a claim on him. If a team claims Santana, they will assume what remains on his $12 million deal.
It’s believed there’s just under $2 million left on Santana’s contract.
The order of claiming teams is based on winning percentage. If two teams claim Santana, the team with the worst winning percentage would get him.
If Santana was placed on waivers today, they wouldn’t expire until Thursday. If Santana, one of the best switch-hitters in Cleveland history, goes unclaimed, he would return to the Guardians.
Santana, on his third tour with Cleveland, is hitting .225 (89 for 396) with 11 homers and 52 RBI.
This is his 15th year in the big leagues. He’s spent 11 of them in Cleveland.
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