The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Report: Red Sox in mix for Carlos Santana
The Boston Globe reports the Red Sox will meet with the agents for longtime Indian Carlos Santana. The first baseman was extended a oneyear qualifying offer by the Tribe earlier this month.
The Boston Red Sox are interested in signing Indians free agent first baseman Carlos Santana, according to the Boston Globe.
Nick Cafardo of the Globe is reporting the Red Sox will meet with Santana’s agents during baseball’s general manager meetings that run from Nov. 13-17 in Orlando, Fla.
The Red Sox are looking for power in the middle of their lineup after finishing 27th in the major leagues in 2017 with 168 home runs. They were ninth in 2016 with 208 home runs.
Santana played in 154 games for the Tribe in 2017. He clobbered 23 home runs and drove in 79 runs. He scored 90 runs and walked 88 times.
During a season wrapup interview on Oct. 13 with media covering the Indians, Tribe president Chris Antonetti said he wanted to retain Santana.
“First and foremost, we have an appreciation for what all those guys
have done for us over the course of their careers for us,” Antonetti said, referring to Santana and other free agents. “Carlos is a
guy we’d like to have back. We’ll see if there’s a way we can make that happen.”
Santana would replace Mitch Moreland, who
posted nearly identical power numbers in his first season with the Red Sox — 22 home runs and 79 RBI. Moreland, though, struck
out 120 times compared to 94 for Santana, and Moreland scored 17 fewer runs and walked 29 fewer times.
Watching Santana sign with any other team would be a big loss for the Indians, especially if he signed with an American League contender the Tribe could meet in the playoffs.
The Indians made Santana a $17.4 million qualifying offer earlier this month. He and eight other players around the majors have until Nov. 16 to decide whether to accept their qualifying offers, but all nine are expected to reject them, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
The Indians protected themselves by making the offer to Santana. If he signs a multi-year deal in excess of $50 million with another team, they get a draft pick at the end of the first round. The pick would be after the second round if the multi-year deal is less than $50 million.
The Indians also have contingency plans at first base if they lose Santana. Edwin Encarnacion and Lonnie Chisenhall can play first. Michael Brantley could also end up a first baseman with the hope it will be less strain on him physically.