CLEVELAND, Ohio — Carlos Santana is headed to Chicago.

The 39-year-old first baseman, who was waived by the Guardians, cleared waivers Thursday and on Sunday reportedly agreed to sign with the Cubs as he continues his 16-year major league career.

Santana, a three-time Cleveland mainstay, will join a Cubs team holding the top wild-card spot in the National League and looking to bolster its depth for a September push.

Santana isn’t the same hitter who won a Silver Slugger in 2019 during his second stint with Cleveland, but he has shown there’s still value in his game. He’s hitting .225 this season with 11 home runs, 52 RBIs and a .650 OPS. While the bat has cooled in recent years, the glove remains steady — he captured a Gold Glove at first base with the Minnesota Twins just last season.

For the Cubs, Santana represents insurance and experience.

If his bat heats up down the stretch, it’s a bonus. If not, they still gain a reliable presence in the field and in the clubhouse.

For Santana, this move reflects both endurance and belief.

Signed by the Dodgers as a teenager out of the Dominican Republic, he broke into the majors with Cleveland in 2010 and became one of the franchise’s most familiar faces across three separate stints.

He was never the singular star of his era, but he was durable, consistent and willing to shoulder the load in lineups that shifted around him.

The Guardians’ decision to part ways wasn’t surprising, but it doesn’t mean Santana is finished.

Chicago likely sees him as someone who has been through playoff races, understands the grind of late-season baseball, and can bring calm in pressure moments.

As he joins the Cubs, Santana won’t be asked to carry the offense. He’ll be asked to be himself — a steady glove, a veteran leader, and perhaps a spark in key at-bats.

Nearly two decades into his career, that’s still enough to matter.

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