Hardware Coming for Twins Carlos Santana?

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Carlos Santana
Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins needed a first baseman this offseason. With budget constraints imposed by ownership, Derek Falvey opted for 38-year-old sure-handed veteran, Carlos Santana, who caused the Twins problems for years, while he was with the Cleveland Guardians.

Carlos Santana has been everything the Minnesota Twins imagined

Jose Miranda dealt with injury last season, and Alex Kirilloff hasn’t been consistently effective. The Minnesota Twins needed a right-handed bat that could play first base. For $5.25 million, they landed on Santana. And five months into the 2024 MLB season… it couldn’t be going better.

It took some time for the veteran to get things going. He owned just a .451 OPS 21 games into his season. Since though, he has been nothing short of exceptional.

While the bat has been impressive, the glove is where he has made the biggest, most consistent impact. Manager Rocco Baldelli has run Santana out as the Minnesota Twins regular first baseman (105 starts). He has started as the designated hitter just twice. Carlos Santana’s defense has been invaluable.

Whatever metric you choose to look at, they all point to Santana being worthy of a Gold Glove. His six defensive runs saved and 13 outs above average have combined to produce a 10 fielding run value. Even at 38 years old, his defensive acumen is the gold standard at the position across the sport.

Related: Some Twins Fans Should Seek Therapy for Their Unwarranted Rocco Baldelli Hatred

Of course the voting must see it that way, and that is never straightforward. Eric Hosmer still stole Joe Mauer’s Gold Glove at first base in 2017. #NeverForget

Minnesota Twins reaping value from Carlos Santana

When dealing with payroll constraints, extracting additional value is a must. No player has been a bigger boost for the Minnesota Twins in that regard than Carlos Santana.

Due to both his hitting ability, and defensive prowess, Santana has accumulated 2.6 fWAR in 2024. That is his highest number since 2019 (4.7), and is valued at $20.7 million according to Fangraphs.

Santana owns an .851 OPS across his last 55 games. His 18 home runs have him on pace to hit more in a season than he has since 2019 (34). It seemed preposterous to suggest that Santana could have been an All-Star this season, but outswide of the Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr., he was arguably the most worthy first baseman.

Related: If the Minnesota Twins Can Just Limp to the Regular Season Finish Line…

Minnesota has to feel ecstatic about what they have gotten from Santana in 2024. He will probably play again in 2025, and may have priced himself out of the Twins budget. For now though, they are happy to reap the rewards.

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