Cubs sign first baseman Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana (Keith Allison, Wikimedia Commons)

According to Nick Deeds of MLB Trade Rumors, the Chicago Cubs have signed first baseman Carlos Santana of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The terms of the contract have not been disclosed and the Cubs are to make a corresponding move in order for Santana to be on the 40 man roster. That move has not happened as of yet.

The Cubs are Santana’s eighth Major League Baseball team. He previously played 11 seasons with Cleveland, one season with the Philadelphia Phillies (2018), two seasons with the Kansas City Royals (2021 and 2022), one season with the Seattle Mariners (2022), one season with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2023), one season with the Milwaukee Brewers (2023), and one season with the Minnesota Twins (2024).

With Cleveland, Santana spent eight straight seasons with the Cleveland Indians from 2010 to 2017, and then two more seasons with the Indians from 2020 to 2021. Santana then had one more season with the Cleveland Guardians in 2025. Remember, Cleveland changed its name from the Indians to the Guardians in 2022. While with the Indians in 2019, Santana was selected to the All-Star Game.

This season, Santana is batting .225 with 11 home runs and 52 runs batted in. During 116 games, 396 at bats, and 455 plate appearances, he has scored 49 runs and had 89 hits, 10 doubles, seven stolen bases, 52 walks, 132 total bases, four sacrifice flies, an on base percentage of .316, and a slugging percentage of .333.

The Cubs are in second place in the National League Central at 78 wins and 59 losses. They are 6.5 games back of the first place Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs are also the top wildcard team in the National League.