Why the Royals signed Carlos Santana


Heading into the 2021 season, the Royals were looking to add a veteran first baseman in free agency. After struggling to find a replacement for Eric Hosmer, the Royals were willing to spend a bit more on a veteran player than they had the past few seasons. Kansas City is a small market team that wasn't able to outbid other teams for the available first basemen on the free agent market. Many fans in Kansas City aren't happy with the Royals paying Santana the money they paid him. The Royals signed Santana to a 2-year deal worth $17.5 million at the age of 35. The team knew when Santana signed the deal it was a gamble they were willing to take on a player that had played well at Kauffman Stadium with Cleveland earlier in his career. Santana's first season in Kansas City wasn't too shabby in my opinion, but it definitely could have been better. The 36-year old batted a little over the Mendoza line at .214 with an on base percentage of. 319 and a slugging percentage of .342. Despite Santana's poor numbers, he showed he could be a threat with the bat with 19 home runs and 69 runs batted in. Carlos Santana's final year in Kansas City hasn't been a great one either; but recently he has improved his numbers. According to Royals Review, Santana has hit .295/.402/.423 in the last five games or so. As the trade deadline nears, the Royals are hoping the veteran slugger continues to improve at the plate and improve his trade value. 
Although the first baseman has struggled, the Royals continue to start him at first base everyday. But the calls to replace Santana are growing louder, especially with the success of first basemen Nick Pratto and Vinnie Pasquantino down at Triple-A Omaha. Fans are frustrated with Mike Matheny and the Royals for starting a 36-year old first baseman who has had a down year when Pasquantino is tearing the cover off the ball with 18 home runs, 67 runs batted in, and a .278 batting average in Omaha. The Royals are aware that Santana is struggling and that Pasquantino is on fire in the minors; but they won't and shouldn’t sit a player that is getting paid $8.75 million a year. Kansas City entering the month of July will be looking to acquire several young players via trades to strengthen the minor league system and the big league club. While Santana's trade value might not be great, the Royals are hoping his offensive numbers continue to improve, increasing his trade value a bit. This will allow the Royals to trade the 36-year old to a contending team that is looking for a veteran bench piece or a designated hitter for the postseason.

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