The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with veteran first baseman Carlos Santana, according to multiple reports. The switch-hitter will complement left-handed Pavin Smith at the position. The team has not yet confirmed the move.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are bolstering their first base options by adding experienced infielder Carlos Santana on a one-year deal worth $2 million. A source informed MLB.com's Steve Gilbert of the agreement on Tuesday, while 98.7 FM reported the terms separately. Although the club has not officially announced the signing, it addresses their need for a right-handed complement to Pavin Smith, who hits from the left side.
Santana, who will turn 40 on April 8, brings 16 seasons of Major League experience, including playoff appearances. A former All-Star and Gold Glove winner at first base, he leads active players with 1,330 career walks and maintains a .352 on-base plus slugging percentage alongside a 112 OPS+, above league average.
In 2025, Santana's performance dipped during stints with the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago Cubs. Over 124 games, he batted .219/.308/.325 with 11 home runs, seven stolen bases, and a career-low 77 OPS+, contributing 1.1 Wins Above Replacement per Baseball Reference. His offensive struggles included a 37.8% hard-hit rate—his third-lowest career mark—a 19.2% strikeout rate that was a personal high, and a 24.8% chase rate. Cleveland released him on August 28, after which he signed with the Cubs on September 1.
Despite the batting woes, Santana flashed potential, hitting 28 balls at 105.1 mph or harder with a .607 average on those contact points, including a 113.2 mph single against the Boston Red Sox on April 27. He notched 21 multi-hit games and an 11% walk rate in the 80th percentile.
Defensively, Santana excelled, recording eight Outs Above Average—the third-most among first basemen—and preventing six runs, also third at the position. Previously linked to free agent Ty France, the Diamondbacks sought a partner for Smith, and Santana's .780+ OPS against lefties in three of the last four seasons fits the bill. No draft compensation applies, as he received a qualifying offer from Cleveland in 2017.
