2024 Gold Glove Winner Signs with Cleveland Guardians

Carlos Santana has agreed to a one-year contract with the Guardians worth $12 million per year. Santana, who will turn 39 soon after the 2025 season begins, still has plenty left in the tank. The Guardians will look to shore up their defense at first base while also using Santana as a Designated hitter at times throughout the 2025 campaign. Assuming Santana can keep up with his numbers in years past, he will prove to be a great veteran in the clubhouse and a bargain signing.

In his 15th year in the big leagues, Santana took home the hardware, winning his first Gold Glove award at First base for the Minnesota Twins in 2024. Santana recorded 14 Outs Above Average last season, which was in the 97th percentile of fielders. While his batting average left a bit to be desired at .238, Santana offers much more at the plate than just contact. For the Twins in 2024, Santana clubbed 23 home runs and batted in 71 runs while striking out less than 100 times in nearly 600 plate appearances. In addition to power, Santana can offer great plate discipline to the Guradians’ lineup as well. Last year, he ranked in the 82nd percentile in walks and struck out only 16.7% of the time, which ranked in the 79th percentile of all major league hitters.

Racking up over 320 career home runs and 38 career wins above replacement, Santana has had an amazing career up to this point. He will look to build on that with Cleveland as they look to improve on their 2024 season. With one career Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, and All-Star appearance, Santana hopes to have another memorable season at age 39, proving he can still compete with the best in baseball. Assuming he does not experience a dramatic downfall, similar to José Abreu in 2024, this signing may prove to be one of the winter's biggest bargains.