Santana glad to be back with Indians again

If Carlos Santana ever wondered whether he still has a home with the Cleveland Indians, he need wonder no more.

Pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer plus newly acquired outfielder/first baseman Jake Bauers and catcher Kevin Plawecki were the first four of five players introduced by moderator and Indians radio voice Jim Rosenhaus on Jan. 12 during a Tribe Fest player interview session at the Cleveland Convention Center.

The crowd gathered at the main stage cheered for Carrasco, cheered louder for Bauer and cheered politely for Bauers and Plawecki.

Santana was the last of the five introduced, and the fans saved their loudest roar and applause for him.

Santana played eight years for the Indians from 2010-17.

He was the definition of a grinder. He played catcher, third base, first base and outfield with the Tribe, and from 2011-17 he never made fewer than 600 trips to the plate.

But baseball is a business, as players, managers and front office executives have said and will say countless times, and last winter Santana made a business decision. He was a free agent, and though his preference was to stay with the team he debuted in the big leagues with, he followed the money and on Dec. 20, 2017, signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Phillies.

Less than a year later, on Dec. 3, 2018, the Phillies shipped Santana to the Mariners for infielder Jean Segura, pitcher Juan Nicasio and pitcher James Pazos. Ten days later, the Indians sent DH/first baseman Edwin Encarnacion to the Mariners for Santana as part of a three-team deal with the Tampa Bay Rays in the deal used to acquire Bauers.

“Last year I missed you guys,” Santana told the fans. “Right now, I’m so excited to be back to my natural home.”

Trading for Santana was about much more than making the 32-yearold from the Dominican Republic and the Indians fans happy. Santana said he is most comfortable at first base, which is where he will likely play on days he isn’t the designated hitter. With Encarnacion gone, however, it seems Santana will DH most of the time.

Santana