Santana signs
Carlos Santana signed a $60 million, three-year contract Friday with the Philadelphia Phillies.
PHILADELPHIA — Carlos Santana is bringing his big bat and postseason experience to the Philadelphia Phillies.
The 31-year-old first baseman became the first of the offseason’s big-name free agents to find a new home, agreeing Friday to a $60 million, three-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to two people familiar with the deal.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement is contingent on Santana passing a physical.
Santana became the first to reach a deal among the nine free agents who last month rejected $17.4 million qualifying offers from their former teams.
Philadelphia also traded shortstop Freddy Galvis to San Diego for minor league pitcher Enyel De Los Santos, and finalized two-year deals with relievers Tommy Hunter ($18 million) and Pat Neshek ($16.5 million).
Santana hit 23 home runs with 79 RBI for Cleveland, where he spent all eight of his big league seasons. He started as a catcher in 2010 and shifted to first base in 2015.
Santana, who has a .249 career batting average and .445 slugging percentage, is expected to play first base for Philadelphia. Slugger Rhys Hoskins would stay in left field, giving the Phillies a surplus of outfielders to use as trade bait for starting pitching.