This season the Twins opted against running it back and instead tabbed Ty France as their starting first baseman. They paid him just $1 million and opened the door to constant playing time. Ultimately he got traded to the Toronto Blue Jays during the deadline fire sale, but that never impacted his defense.

Ty France wins first Gold Glove

Traditionally Gold Glove awards have been given to players that are assumed as good defenders while also producing offensively. That has shifted in recent seasons, and a more analytical lens has been placed on actual defensive stalwarts. Ty France did his part with the leather all season and is now being awarded for his efforts.

Your 2025 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winner – AL First Base – Ty France#RawlingsGoldGloveAwards pic.twitter.com/ZEiQoB88dl

— Rawlings Baseball (@RawlingsSports) November 3, 2025

France played 101 games with Minnesota before playing his final 37 of the season with Toronto. He batted just .257/.320/.360, but his defense rated highly all year. Although there were certain periods where the eye test didn’t agree, France consistently made the routine plays and then executed the more difficult ones as well.

Despite moving him, the Twins can claim France’s Gold Glove award as another in their history. His achievement makes it consecutive seasons after Santana picked one up last year. He becomes the 16th Gold Glove winner in Twins history, and joins Santana, Doug Mientkiewicz, and Vic Power as winners at first base.

What a play by Ty France 😳 pic.twitter.com/6SMwTghZow

— MLB (@MLB) May 25, 2025

When France was named a finalist, Santana was in the group with him. It seemed uncertain as to who would win the award. France was also fighting against new teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but his metrics paced the trio. He posted 9 DRS (defensive runs saved), 10 OAA (outs above average), and 7 FRV (fielding run value).

Joe Mauer should have won a Gold Glove in 2017, but had the award taken from him by Eric Hosmer for the assumed defense and positive offensive output. Had Mauer won, he would have been the third player to ever win a Gold Glove at multiple positions, joining Placido Polanco and Darin Erstad.

Last season the Twins saw Carlos Santana win his first Gold Glove award. They don’t have anyone that was certain to be in consideration this year, but there are plenty of players with ties that have made the list as finalists.

Carlos Santana and Ty France named Gold Glove finalists

Carlos Santana signed with the Cleveland Guardians this year and brought the same impressive defense to the table. Unfortunately he cratered offensively and was designated for assignment before landing with the Chicago Cubs. Ty France took over his role with the Minnesota Twins, and was ultimately sent to the Toronto Blue Jays in the Louie Varland trade.

Santana is looking to follow up his first Gold Glove award with a second one. France is hoping to land his first. Only one of them can actually take home the hardware.

The American League @RawlingsSports Gold Glove Finalists 🤩

Winners will be announced on Sunday, November 2nd on @ESPN pic.twitter.com/iwxWobzVt5

— MLB (@MLB) October 15, 2025

Both Santana and France are competing against Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to be named the Gold Glove winner at first base. Of course France is now teammates with him, and that brings a whole different slant into the equation. The numbers can help to paint a clearer picture though.

The advanced metrics make it pretty clear who was the most valuable defensively. That’s not always how the award is determined though. Brian Dozier won a Gold Glove in 2017 because he hit 34 home runs. The second base defense was below average, but offensive performance factored in heavily.

Voters have gotten better at identifying true defensive talent, and that’s reflected in both Santana and France being finalists. They posted a 77 OPS+ and 88 OPS+ respectively. Their offensive production, or lack thereof, didn’t hold back consideration.

Realistically it looks like France should win his first Gold Glove, but the margin over Santana and his second seems razor thin. Either way, a former Twins first baseman has to be considered the frontrunner.

Former Twins prospect Spencer Steer is a finalist at first base in the National League for the Reds. Winners will be announced on November 2nd.

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.

Related: Another MN Twins Starter Begins Rehab Process

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.

Related: New Milestone for MN Twins Star, Top Pitcher Joining Soon

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.

France proved to be mediocre, a bit less than league average, and was shipped north of the boarder with Louie Varland. It’s unfortunate, but not surprising it didn’t work out.

Of course, it could have been worse. Minnesota could have opted to run it back with Carlos Santana. Tuesday he was sent packing by the Cleveland Guardians.

Cleveland Guardians place Carlos Santana on waivers

Last season Carlos Santana rocked a pink glove and won a his first Gold Glove Award while playing first base for the Minnesota Twins. This season he lost his roster spot with the Guardians before August came to an end.

Guardians have placed Carlos Santana on outright waivers pic.twitter.com/KRtCXusdnV

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 26, 2025

The Minnesota Twins paid Santana $5.25 million in 2024. After his standout season, he was going to get a raise, and it never would have been wise to pay for that. Instead Minnesota watched their division rival pay with their heart as Cleveland brought the 39-year-old back where it all started. They did so to the tune of a whopping $12 million.

Santana struggled down the stretch for Minnesota, and his lack of production was part of their epic collapse. Of course that’s to be expected when you’re 38 years old. Cleveland ignored the caution signs anyways.

After posting a 109 OPS+ with Minnesota, Santana leaves Cleveland with just an 80 OPS+ this season. Across 116 games he has batted a paltry .225/.316/.333 with 10 doubles and 11 home runs. Even besides the standard for a corner infielder, the production looks lackluster.

Santana’s defense remained good-not-great this year contributing seven outs above average and five fielding run value. Virtually every underlying offensive metric is a nightmare though. He will pass through waivers as no other team will want to pay what’s remaining on his 2025 contract.

Don’t celebrate the Guardians waiving Carlos Santana.

Sure, it’s the right baseball decision. And maybe Los gets a final run with a contender that needs a defensive 1B.

But he gave it all for the city for 11 seasons. With class. Celebrate his contributions, not his leaving. pic.twitter.com/dc1BGnFDrD

— Monte the Color Man (@Monte_Colorman) August 26, 2025

It’s possible a postseason team will value Santana’s leadership enough to bring him in for a few games in September. It’s also entirely possible this is the end of the line.

Related: Minnesota Twins Release 2026 Regular Season Schedule

Across his 16-year big league career, Santana has played in 2,196 games and has hit 335 home runs. He made the All-Star Game in 2019 with Cleveland and won a Silver Slugger that year two. It was three separate stops with the Guardians, and while the third time wasn’t the charm, there were plenty of memories made along the way.

Carlos Santana leaves Minnesota Twins for Cleveland

In his one season with the Minnesota Twins, Carlos Santana put his best foot forward. Despite being paid just $5.25 million, he posted a 108 OPS+ and won a Gold Glove. Now he’s headed to the Guardians and will once again try to torment the Twins, as he did in the past.

First baseman Carlos Santana and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a one-year, $12 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. The Guardians traded Josh Naylor, and now they bring the 38-year-old Santana back for his third stint with the organization.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 21, 2024

The amount is jarring here. While Santana did have a good season, it was clear he faded down the stretch. Now at 39 years old he’ll make $12 million, which is just $500,000 shy of what Paul Goldschmidt signed with the Yankees for earlier on Saturday.

Carlos Santana goes over the railing and hangs on for the out! pic.twitter.com/2gZDlwYYke

— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2024

Related: Minnesota Twins 1st Baseman Carlos Santana Wins Gold Glove

Santana spent the first eight seasons of his career with Cleveland, and returned for two more. This will be his third stint in a Guardians uniform. He has played 189 games against Minnesota while hitting 31 home runs and owning a .793 OPS.

His 27 home runs at Target Field, of which 23 came last season for Minnesota, are the second most at any ballpark he has played in. The Guardians are clearly taking a gamble that he won’t meet Father Time during the upcoming season.

Last season Santana was the best defensive first baseman not-named Christian Walker. If his bat tails slightly, then Cleveland will be hoping the glove does not.

Twins rival moves pieces at first base

The Cleveland Guardians’ strategy wasn’t driven by an immediate need for a first baseman but rather by a calculated decision to avoid long-term commitment to Josh Naylor. Naylor, who was projected to make $12 million through arbitration this season, was instead traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks just before the Guardians signed Carlos Santana. This move allowed Cleveland to manage their payroll while still addressing the first base position with a veteran player in Santana.

Full trade, per ESPN sources:

Arizona acquires: 1B Josh Naylor

Cleveland acquires: RHP Slade Cecconi and a competitive balance Round B draft pick

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 21, 2024

The Naylor trade on its own looked curious. That was a salary dump considering Slade Cecconi is nothing to write home about. The competitive balance pick is valuable from a financial standpoint, and that’s where the Guardians found the upper hand.

Now Stephen Vogt gets Santana at the same price Naylor was set to make, but with a moldable pitcher and a future prospect. In totality, the moves look pretty shrewd for an organization that has often been regarded as well-run.

Related: Twins, Royce Lewis Preparing for Another Position Change

Arguably the biggest uncertainty in all of this is just how Santana will handle another year at the highest level. Minnesota didn’t get caught holding the bag when Nelson Cruz fell off, and they didn’t want to here either.

Max Kepler a Twins free agent for first time

All Max Kepler has known within the realm of professional baseball is the Minnesota Twins. The German signed as a teenager. Now, at 31 years old, he is on the open market for the first time. What will he get now that he is a free agent? ESPN Insider Kiley McDaniel ranked Kepler as the 30th best free agent, and pins his AAV (average annual value) at $14 million.

Kepler will be 32 in February and had a bad walk year — (slightly) below average at the plate and on the bases while playing a corner-outfield spot — but there are still teams that think 2024 was an outlier and he’s closer to his 2023 self. I think there’s multi-year interest on the promise that he could be above average in all phases once again.

Kiley McDaniel on Max Kepler (ESPN)

Last season Kepler made $10 million in the final year of a six-year extension he signed with Minnesota. McDaniel pegs Kepler’s next contract at two years and $28 million total. That $14M AAV seems a bit rich, but teams could line up to pay a player with his defensive abilities. Max has struggled to remain consistent at the plate, during his decade run in Minnesota, but his defensive metrics have always been above average.

WHAT A CATCH BY KEPLER 😱#MNTwins | #MLB pic.twitter.com/Cncj7tvGM4

— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) July 1, 2023

Related: ESPN Admits They Got it Wrong on Twins Infielder Edouard Julien

They are centerfielders, but both Kevin Kiermaier and Harrison Bader got $10 million last season, which should bode well for Kepler. I’m not sure if I agree on McDaniel’s valuation of Max Kepler. But I do agree with one thing. Max certainly won’t be back with the Minnesota Twins.

Carlos Santana’s market after Minnesota looks nice

Minnesota was in the market for a first baseman last year. They opted for an affordable 38-year-old veteran, on a one year deal. Carlos Santana cost just $5.25 million, and ended up as one of the team’s best hitters. Oh, and he won a Gold Glove at first base. Going into 2024-25 free agency, McDaniel ranks Santana as his No. 43 free agent.

Like Pederson, Santana is in this general area of seemingly every free agent list, moving up or down and getting one vs. multi-year deals depending on last season’s performance. Santana performed, posting a 114 wRC+ and adding career-best defensive metrics at first base, so he could be an alternative for the teams that lose out on Christian Walker.

Kiley McDaniel on Carlos Santana (ESPN)

Similarly to Kepler’s prediction, the valuation seems high here. Santana nearly tripling his salary because of a Gold Glove seems wild. It’s not as though good defense is something new for him, and he’s not getting any younger. Santana started out slow for Minnesota, and he faded down the stretch. The Twins would probably love him back, but at nowhere near this price.

Twins are struggling but Carlos Santana's defense continues to be there ever game.

He's 2nd among 1st basemen in Defensive Runs Saved since the start of last season. pic.twitter.com/S5VYoI8fDf

— SIS_Baseball (@sis_baseball) September 25, 2024

Related: Two Free Agent Pitchers Linked to Minnesota Twins

Ultimately a team will need to decide on how much they believe in Santana’s ability to stave off the aging process. Once a wall comes for a player, it generally goes downhill quickly. No one wants to land the latest representation of Nelson Cruz.

Twins Willi Castro and Carlos Santana vying for Silver Slugger awards

Major League Baseball won’t announce winners of 2024 Silver Slugger awards until November 12. The finalists, were unveiled on Monday morning however. Both Carlos Santana and Willi Castro are contenders for the Minnesota Twins.

Presenting the finalists for the 2024 American League Silver Slugger Awards.

Winners will be announced Nov. 12. pic.twitter.com/LNMHWMHbVT

— MLB (@MLB) November 4, 2024

Managers and coaches vote on the recipient of Silver Slugger awards. One is given out at each position and they are intended to highlight the best offensive player at those respective spots. The award first came to be in 1980 and the Twins have had seven previous recipients. Their last came in 2020 with Nelson Cruz grabbing the award. Kirby Puckett holds the most in franchise history with five. Joe Mauer won four of them.

Related: Minnesota Twins 1st Baseman Carlos Santana Wins Gold Glove

The Twins having a pair of players be named finalists brings some added intrigue to the unveiling. Former Twins first round pick Brent Rooker is also a finalist among designated hitters.

Can either Twins hitter win?

It’s great that both Santana and Castro have been given serious consideration. That doesn’t necessarily make either a lock as the competition is stiff. Minnesota would love to see either player end the multi-year drought for the organization. Who has the better chance though?

As you can see, Santana is certainly facing an uphill battle. He could get a boost, as one does in these award votes, because of his stellar defense. If the voting contingent stays on track and just looks at offensive production, it’s clear that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. should run away with his first Silver Slugger.

Carlos Santana spoils Alek Manoah's great outing with a three-run homer in the 7th pic.twitter.com/dwS6BmTaYs

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 12, 2024

Related: Former Minnesota Twins Veteran is Hitting the Open Market

The Twins got everything they could have imagined from Willi Castro. As a Detroit Tigers castoff that signed a minor league deal prior to the 2023 season, the come-up has been huge. He was named an All-Star this season and continues to stay in the national spotlight.

Utility player production is much more difficult to analyze. It would seem that Westburg should be the winner here, but Castro could get a boost for his flexibility. No one in baseball was a greater multi-positional asset than the Twins star. Despite a great year, and even if he wins an award, Castro remains a prime trade candidate for Minnesota.

Willi Castro golfs one out to give the Twins the lead. pic.twitter.com/njoeLW2n3A

— MLB (@MLB) August 13, 2024

Related: Ranking: 10 Most Likely Minnesota Twins to be Traded This Offseason

There shouldn’t be much thought that the Twins will land a Silver Slugger at either position. A pleasant surprise would be more than welcomed, however.

Carlos Santana is golden for Minnesota Twins

At the beginning of the year Carlos Santana sought out to grab his first Gold Glove. He had a discussion with his mother and wore a pink glove as a constant reminder. Despite having played 14 years in the big leagues, it something that the veteran had yet to accomplish. Signed as a bargain $5.25 million acquisition, achieving that reality would be a coup from a value perspective. Now it’s reality.

Your 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winner – AL First Base – Carlos Santana#RawlingsGoldGloveAwards pic.twitter.com/ODTnMmpwBh

— Rawlings Baseball (@RawlingsSports) November 4, 2024

By whatever metric you would like to look at, Santana was elite. His eight defensive runs saved, 14 outs above average, and 11 fielding run value all checked in near the top of positional leaderboards. Only a handful of players, at any position, in either league, had better defensive seasons than Santana did. The Gold Glove award for Santana is Minnesota’s first such honor since Brian Dozier and Byron Buxton won them in 2017.

Twins are struggling but Carlos Santana's defense continues to be there ever game.

He's 2nd among 1st basemen in Defensive Runs Saved since the start of last season. pic.twitter.com/S5VYoI8fDf

— SIS_Baseball (@sis_baseball) September 25, 2024

Related: Former Minnesota Twins Veteran is Hitting the Open Market

Rocco Baldelli immediately inserted Santana as his regular starter at first base. There was a possibility that either Alex Kirilloff or Jose Miranda could have factored in there. The reality is that Santana proved his glove was too good to ever be without. The former has since retired, and the last one still has plenty of question marks. With Santana hitting the free agent market though, Minnesota will have big shoes to fill on the dirt.

Carlos Santana goes over the railing and hangs on for the out! pic.twitter.com/2gZDlwYYke

— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2024

Related: Juan Soto… You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance for the Minnesota Twins?

It’s possible that Minnesota could re-up with Santana for another year. It seems likely that his price tag will go up a bit after this performance, but there are pitfalls to that. Santana will be 39 years old with nearly 2,100 games under his belt. He had just a 109 OPS+ last season, and needed to rebound from an ugly start. The Twins previously moved on from Nelson Cruz before it was too late, and that may be the blueprint here.

Related: 3 Prospects Minnesota Twins MUST Add to 40-Man Roster Before Rule 5 Draft Deadline

No matter what happens on the open market for Santana this offseason, the reality is that he won an award he has always coveted. The one-time All-Star and one-time Silver Slugger now gets another accolade to add to his mantle.

Carlos Santana named Gold Glove finalist for Minnesota Twins

Carlos Santana signed with the Minnesota Twins for a modest $5.25 million last offseason. He got out of the gate slowly, but wound up producing a 109 OPS+. That is a high-water mark dating back to 2019. Defensively he shined each time he took the field. Now, he has been named a finalist for a Rawlings Gold Glove award.

The 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Finalists – AL First Base – Ryan Mountcastle, Nathaniel Lowe, Carlos Santana#RawlingsGoldGloveAwards pic.twitter.com/Oq88LKrtkW

— Rawlings Baseball (@RawlingsSports) October 15, 2024

Surprisingly Santana’s only individual award is a Silver Slugger that he earned in 2019. At times the Gold Glove has been more about rewarding a good defender who produces offensively as well. That has started to change in recent seasons, and Santana’s advanced defensive metrics should make him a shoo-in to take it home.

While Santana did make one more error (4) than Mountcastle (3), it’s clear who jumps off the page. The eye test showed the same thing all season long, and Santana was consistently responsible for highlight reel plays. His ability to cover the line was exceedingly impressive, especially considering the twitch nature of those plays for someone nearly 40 years old.

At the end of the day, Santana will very likely be named the winner of his first Gold Glove. That is an achievement he set out to accomplish at the beginning of the season, and is something he can hang his hat on long after he retires.

Carlos Santana goes over the railing and makes the catch! pic.twitter.com/dvcoaB0Lg1

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 6, 2024

Related: The Story Behind Carlos Santana’s Pink Glove

The Rawlings Gold Glove Awards will be announced on November 3rd on ESPN at 7:30pm CT. Minnesota has not had a player win a Gold Glove since both Byron Buxton (Platinum) and Brian Dozier did so in 2017.

Minnesota Twins free agents are going to head elsewhere

On one hand, it’s a positive thing that the Minnesota Twins won’t retain the vast majority of their free agents. Many of them are veterans that failed to contribute much this season. On the other hand, it’s a problem considering the relative lack of available money needed to replace them. The list of impending free agents is as follows:

• Max Kepler, RF
• Carlos Santana, 1B
• Kyle Farmer, INF
• Manuel Margot, OF
• Caleb Thielbar, RP
• Anthony DeSclafani, SP

If that looks like it’s an ugly group, that’s because it is. It should be a near-certainty that everyone-not-named-Carlos-Santana is gone. That leaves the first baseman as an intriguing option. The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman weighed in as to a potential reunion there.

“It didn’t look promising when Santana hit .141 in his first 20 games, but he rewarded the Twins’ patience by batting .253/.342/.460 with a team-leading 23 homers in his final 130 games to finish with a solid 109 OPS+ overall. But it was his defense that really stood out, as he constantly robbed hits, saved would-be errors and led MLB first basemen with 14 Outs Above Average… the Twins don’t have any obvious in-house replacements at first base, as the fielding drop-off to Jose Miranda or Edouard Julien might be too much to stomach and Alex Kirilloff’s injury history makes him a major question mark (and a non-tender candidate). Even with their tight payroll situation, re-signing Santana to a similar one-year deal would make sense.”

Aaron Gleeman on the Twins possibility to re-sign Carlos Santana (The Athletic)

What Minnesota does in regards to Santana will be fascinating. After a year in which he should win his first Gold Glove, getting him back for $5.25 million seems unlikely. How much the club wants to extend beyond that remains to be seen. He would be a better option than virtually any in-house candidate.

Related: The Story Behind Carlos Santana’s Pink Glove

Does Carlos Santana have more in the tank for the Twins?

Any decision to re-sign Santana comes down to a pendulum weighing his cost against the expected regression. Internal candidates like Miranda, Kirilloff, or even Yunior Severino all represent a fraction of the defensive play that Santana provided this season. Each carries a lesser salary though, and could conceivably be turned to. It’s not lost on Minnesota how much the veteran meant, however.

“Santana played a huge role for us this year, defensively and offensively. I knew the defense would be good, but it was absolutely Gold Glove caliber. And the offense came along with it, too. Carlos was awesome for us. We’re not ruling out anything for the future for him. I know his free agency is coming.”

Derek Falvey on Carlos Santana (The Athletic)

Rocco Baldelli spent all spring talking up Carlos Santana’s defense and it has definitely lived up to the hype. pic.twitter.com/QecuVAiAWk

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) July 24, 2024

It’s impossible to overstate how good Santana was in the field. His bat turned around in a big way as well. Even despite a late-season swoon, he finished with a 109 OPS+ on the year. It’s better to cut bait a year too early than one too late though, and the Twins exercised that understanding when they traded Nelson Cruz for Joe Ryan.

Related: 3 Rich People Who Make Sense as New Minnesota Twins Owners

Santana will be 39 years old next season, and it will be his 16th season in the big leagues. Since leaving Cleveland in 2020, he has played for five different franchises and none have accounted for two seasons.