The Santana Problem


The Royals signed Carlos Santana to a 2-year deal worth $17.5 million in 2021 in hopes of boosting the offense. Santana's first year in Kansas City proved to be a good one for him and the team; however, this season has been the complete opposite. The 36-year old has played in 25 games; and in the 25 games he's played, he has batted way below the Mendoza line. His average is quite embarrassing for a player that is known to have good numbers at the plate. Santana has a career .243 batting average with 260 homers. Now in 2022, Santana has just 6 RBIs with one HR. Royals fans, including myself, have been frustrated with Santana's production this season. However, I think Royals fans must remember that his age has a big impact on his offensive numbers. Santana's offensive numbers over the past two-and-half-years have definitely declined; but despite his struggles, the Royals continue to start the 36-year-old at first base. Now in 2022, Santana has just 6 RBIs with one HR. Royals fans, including myself, have been frustrated with Santana's production this season. However, I think Royals fans must remember that his age has a big impact on his offensive numbers. Santana's offensive numbers over the past two-and-half-years have definitely declined; but despite his struggles, the Royals continue to start the 36-year-old at first base. The Royals’ goal when they signed Santana to his deal was to add a "developed and mature hitter." I have mentioned in my past articles that Santana's numbers at Kauffman Stadium were a big part of why the team brought him in. Santana's numbers at Kauffman Stadium before signing with the Royals were great. He had 31 career home runs against the Royals, and 18 of them were hit in Kansas City. Based on those numbers against the Royals, who could blame the team for bringing in a player that has that great of numbers against its club. The switch hitter has dealt with a few injuries this season that certainly has impacted his season thus far, but that's not a good enough of an excuse for his numbers. Santana's struggles could be fixed a bit with the Royals parting ways with batting coach Terry Bradshaw recently. While many fans aren't happy that the team continues to start Santana, the team couldn't just sit a player that is getting paid $8.75 million this season. While the first baseman continues to struggle, I believe he can turn his season around in the next few weeks allowing the Royals to call up a young first baseman in either Nick Pratto or Vinnie Pasquantino and play Santana at designated hitter.

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