Kansas City Royals sign free agent first baseman Carlos Santana
The Kansas City Royals addressed a pair of offseason needs Tuesday, signing free agent first baseman Carlos Santana to a two-year contract.
The signing of Santana, an AL All-Star with the Cleveland Indians in 2019 when he hit 34 homers and scored 110 runs, gives the Royals an established middle-of-the-order hitter and a veteran presence at first base.
The agreement with the Royals on a two-year, $17 million deal was first reported by MLB Network's Jon Heyman.
Santana, 34, played all 60 games at first last season in Cleveland -- where he's spent 10 of his 11 major league seasons.
He hit just .199 last year with the Indians, but led the AL in walks, which boosted his on-base percentage to a more respectable .349. However, he hit only eight home runs, resulting in a career-low .350 slugging percentage.
The Royals used a combination of Hunter Dozier, Ryan O'Hearn and Ryan McBroom at first last season. With Santana taking over at first base, Dozier will likely become the team's everyday third baseman.
The switch-hitting Santana began his career with the Indians as a catcher before moving to first base in 2014 and seeing some time at third base and designated hitter. He has a well-earned reputation as an extremely disciplined hitter, ranking among his league's top four in walks in each of his 10 full seasons in the majors.