The Chicago Cubs made a late-season addition with hopes of steadying their lineup for October. Multiple reports confirm that veteran first baseman Carlos Santana is signing with the Cubs just days after the Cleveland Guardians released him. Chicago must clear a spot on its 40-man roster to make room for the switch-hitting slugger.
At 39, Santana no longer carries the offensive profile he once did, but the Cubs believe his veteran presence and defensive ability can provide a lift as they battle for postseason positioning. Entering Sunday, Chicago sat at 78–58, holding the top NL Wild Card spot with a 99.9% chance of reaching October according to Fangraphs.
A Veteran on the Move
Guardians president Chris Antonetti described Santana’s release last week as a “joint decision” that benefited both sides. Cleveland wanted to free up at-bats for young first basemen Kyle Manzardo and C.J. Kayfus, while Santana gained the chance to land with a contender. That opportunity now comes in Chicago, where the Cubs are searching for every edge down the stretch.
In 116 games this season, Santana hit .225 with a .316 on-base percentage and a .333 slugging percentage, good for an 86 wRC+. His trademark plate discipline remains intact—he’s walking at an 11.3% clip—but his power has faded, and his 18.9% strikeout rate is the highest he has posted since 2011. Still, Santana owns a long track record of production across his 16-year career, including a 113 wRC+ and a Gold Glove at first base with Minnesota just last season.
The Cubs hope that version of Santana still exists.
How Santana Fits
The move sparks questions about roster construction. Chicago already features Michael Busch as the everyday first baseman and Justin Turner as a right-handed option who has logged time at first and DH. Turner has struggled mightily against right-handed pitching, producing just a 70 wRC+ overall and an abysmal 18 wRC+ against righties.
That’s where Santana could step in. Though his splits haven’t shined this year, he has outperformed Turner against right-handers and brings a stronger glove to first base. That versatility gives manager Craig Counsell more flexibility in high-leverage situations. Counsell could still deploy Turner as a pinch-hitter against lefties while handing Santana the defensive duties afterward.
September’s roster expansion also creates wiggle room. With rosters moving to 28 players, the Cubs can carry multiple first-base/DH types alongside versatile utility man Willi Castro. Santana’s presence doesn’t automatically end Turner’s role, but it does hint at reduced usage depending on matchups.
Beyond the roster puzzle, the Cubs hope Santana injects stability into a lineup that has cooled in the second half. Busch and Seiya Suzuki have strong season numbers, but both slumped after the All-Star break. Santana gives Counsell the option to rest his regulars while leaning on a veteran who has experienced nearly every scenario a postseason chase can bring.
For Santana, this signing marks another chapter in a winding career that spans seven franchises and more than 2,000 big-league games. For the Cubs, it’s a low-cost gamble that a steady hand with postseason experience can guide a roster built for October.
If Santana rediscovers even a portion of his 2023 form, the move may look less like a gamble and more like the kind of savvy depth addition that pays off when the stakes rise.
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