Former MN Twins Gold Glove Winner Lands New Team

The Minnesota Twins haven’t had much luck at first base this season. They opted against paying the freight for Carlos Santana and instead spent just over the league minimum on Ty France. It’s remained something of a revolving door.

France was shipped out, with Louie Varland, to Toronto at the trade deadline. Santana returned to the Cleveland Guardians for another reunion. He didn’t last the season either and was DFA’d last week.

Still capable of providing at least a clubhouse presence, Santana now gets a shot to go play for a winner.

Chicago Cubs sign Carlos Santana

Across 116 games for the Guardians, Carlos Santana batted .225/.316/.333. That was good for just an 81 OPS+ and they decided it was enough to send him packing. Now Santana joins a 78-win Chicago Cubs team and has a chance to go play in the postseason.

Santana indeed goes to Cubs. Nice late add. https://t.co/oFcPKXUM6x

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 31, 2025

After accumulating 3.0 fWAR last season with the Minnesota Twins, it was always likely that Santana would see a slide being another year older. At 39 years old, he has been worth just 0.5 fWAR this season, and it has been virtually all because of his defense.

Last season Santana won his first Gold Glove. He has a good argument to make it back-to-back awards if the voters are paying attention. In 2024 Santana had 8 DRS (defensive runs saved), 14 OAA (outs above average) and 11 FRV (fielding run value). This season he has been worth 11 DRS, 7 OAA, and 5 FRV.

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His defensive runs saved are second among first basemen behind only Matt Olson. He ranks second in outs above average and fielding run value behind Ty France. How a shift from the American to National League impacts things remains to be seen, but Santana has done his part.

Because Chicago got the deal done before the August 31 at 11:59pm eligibility deadline, Santana can play in the postseason. He wouldn’t have had that opportunity with the Minnesota Twins or Chicago Cubs this year.

Santana provides veteran add for Cubs

While Chicago would love it if Santana found more offense, he’ll provide them with plenty of veteran experience. Michael Busch, the Minnesota-native, is their current first baseman. He has a 144 OPS+ and has launched 26 home runs, but this is just his third big league season.

Justin Turner has been injured, and bad, this season. His 75 OPS+ is lower than the former Minnesota Twins first baseman, and he is a year older as well.

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Santana immediately becomes the best defender at the position for Chicago, and he brings a switch-hitting profile. The former Minnesota Twins slugger also has 30 postseason games under his belt, while also playing in (and losing to the Chicago Cubs) the 2016 World Series.

It remains to be seen how Craig Counsell will use his new weapon. The two worked together in 2023 when Santana was with the Milwaukee Brewers though. A level of familiarity makes his addition that much smoother.