The Philadelphia Phillies have signed first baseman Carlos Santana to a three-year, $60 million deal according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports. There is also a team option for a fourth season at $17.5 million.
Santana, 31, has been with the Cleveland Indians for the entirety of his Major League career. He was primarily a catcher from 2010 to 2014 when he started shifting to first base. He has played at least 150 games in every season since 2011 except for 2012 when he played in 143.
He is a very consistent switch-hitter, always hovering right around his .249/.365/.445 career slash line. After hitting .259/.366/.498 with 34 home runs, 87 RBIs, and a 137 wRC+ for the Tribe in 2016, he followed it up by hitting .259/.363/.455 with 23 home runs, 79 RBIs, and a 117 wRC+ this past season.
Since moving from catcher to first base, his defensive metrics have been steadily improving. In 2015 he posted a 3.9 UZR and -5 DRS in 1157.1 innings. Then in 2016 he posted a 2.2 UZR with 1 DRS in just 556.2 innings, but in 2017 he improved to the tune of a 4.8 UZR and 10 DRS in 1225.2 frames.
This move puts Rhys Hoskins in the outfield everyday and could put Tommy Joseph on the trade block.
Earlier this offseason, the Mets had shown interest in Santana.
