The Royals want to put a competitive team on the field in 2022 with many young prospects on the way, including first base prospect Nick Pratto. Carlos Santana is hoping to have a bounce back season with the Royals, and the Royals are hoping the same thing. The 36-year old signed a two-year deal worth $17.5 million with the Royals in 2020. The Royals would like to get a big bounce back season from Santana to possibly attract trade partners when the MLB trade deadline approaches. Last season Santana posted a .214 batting average with 19 home runs and 69 RBIs. While Santana's numbers aren't great, his numbers from 2021 are better than his 2020 stats; however, 2020 was a much shorter season with 60 games compared to the typical 162 game season. Although Santana only hit eight home runs and had 30 RBIs in 2020 with Cleveland, the Royals were hoping for much more from the veteran first baseman in 2021. Before signing with the Royals, Santana had great numbers at Kauffman Stadium hitting 18 home runs in 74 career games when he played for Cleveland for over 10 years. His 18 long balls at Kauffman Stadium are the most home runs hit by Santana in any ballpark outside of Cleveland. After signing with the Royals, the veteran first baseman only hit seven home runs at Kauffman Stadium. With Cleveland however, Santana hit 31 home runs with 93 runs batted in against Kansas City. The Royals brought in Santana in December of 2020. Former Royals general manager Dayton Moore (Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations) said this about the signing of Carlos Santana. “One of our goals was to add to the middle of our lineup, and Carlos does that.” When the Royals signed Santana it was a bit of a shock to many because of the amount the Royals decided to pay the veteran first baseman. According to MLB Trade Rumors in 2020, Santana was projected to land a one-year deal worth $6 million; but KC paid him more than that, and they expect more production from Santana in 2022. According to ESPN, Santana is projected to hit 21 home runs with 65 RBI's in 2022 with the Royals. I believe Santana has the potential to reach those projected stats and maybe even exceed expectations if he can stay healthy throughout the season. Although I think Santana has a chance to reach those goals, I am concerned that his advanced age will have a major impact on his numbers. The Royals hope Santana can have a productive 2022 to also help boost his trade market value. I believe the Royals will be able to flip Santana at the deadline in 2022 but won't get a great return in a trade if he doesn’t put up big numbers. Santana's trade value may also be diminished due to the stacked first baseman free agent market. At the end of the day, the Royals are hoping Santana can be a power threat in the team's lineup in 2022.
