The Arizona Diamondbacks appear to have found their answer at first base, turning to a familiar and experienced name to stabilize a position that had become a clear concern entering the season. According to reports from Arizona Sports 98.7’s John Gambadoro and AZCentral’s Nick Piecoro, the Diamondbacks have reached an agreement with veteran free-agent first baseman Carlos Santana. While the deal is not yet official and remains contingent on Santana passing a physical examination, all signs point toward the longtime major leaguer joining Arizona’s roster in the near future.
From an organizational standpoint, the move aligns closely with what team leadership had publicly stated throughout the offseason. Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall had previously emphasized the club’s desire to bring in a “complementary” option at first base rather than pursuing a splashy or high-priced addition. Santana, who brings extensive experience and a reputation for steady defense, fits that description well.
Financially, the deal reflects Arizona’s cautious approach. Gambadoro reported that the contract is expected to be a one-year agreement valued at approximately $2 million. In today’s market, that figure represents a modest investment, especially for a player with Santana’s résumé. For the Diamondbacks, this type of low-risk signing allows them to address a positional weakness without compromising long-term payroll flexibility.
Santana had been connected to Arizona in rumors earlier in the offseason, so the agreement does not come as a complete surprise. As the free-agent market thinned and the Diamondbacks assessed their internal options, Santana emerged as a logical solution to a roster spot that lacked depth and certainty. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the plan is for Santana to split time at first base with Pavin Smith, while also seeing occasional action as the designated hitter. This arrangement should allow Arizona to manage Santana’s workload while maximizing his strengths.
The addition of Santana provides the Diamondbacks with a veteran presence at a position that had become unsettled. First base options within the organization were limited, and while Pavin Smith offers versatility and upside, the team appeared hesitant to rely solely on him. Santana’s arrival brings balance to the position, creating a platoon-style approach that could benefit both players.
Santana’s career spans 16 major league seasons, the majority of which were spent with the Cleveland Guardians organization. During his prime, Santana established himself as one of the more reliable switch-hitting first basemen in baseball, earning All-Star recognition and consistently posting strong on-base percentages. His disciplined approach at the plate and ability to draw walks made him a fixture in Cleveland’s lineup for years.
In 2025, Santana returned to Cleveland in what initially seemed like a reunion between player and franchise. However, that stint proved short-lived. As the season progressed, Cleveland elected to release him, and Santana was subsequently picked up by the Chicago Cubs late in the year. While his time with the Cubs was brief, it allowed him to continue contributing at the major league level and demonstrated that teams still value his skill set, particularly on the defensive side.
Offensively, Santana is no longer the player he once was. His 2025 season reflected the challenges that often accompany players deep into their careers. He finished the year with a .219 batting average, a .308 on-base percentage, and a .325 slugging percentage. Those numbers translated to an 82 weighted runs created plus (wRC+), which places him below league average as a hitter. For a position traditionally associated with power production, those offensive metrics are undeniably underwhelming.
Looking at Santana’s broader career arc, the decline is not entirely unexpected. For much of his career, he was an above-average offensive contributor, but his production has gradually slipped since around the 2020 season. Entering the 2026 campaign, Santana will be playing at age 40, an age at which few players are still everyday contributors. From an offensive standpoint, expectations must be tempered.
However, what Santana may lack at the plate, he more than compensates for with his glove. Even as his batting numbers have dipped, his defensive performance at first base has remained remarkably strong—arguably even improving in recent seasons. In 2025, Santana posted the best defensive metrics of his career. He recorded +12 Defensive Runs Saved, a figure that ranked among the league’s best at his position.
Advanced metrics further reinforce Santana’s defensive value. He finished the season with a +6 Fielding Run Value and an impressive +8 Outs Above Average. Those numbers placed him in the 82nd percentile and 94th percentile, respectively, among major league defenders. For a Diamondbacks team that places a high premium on run prevention, those statistics carry significant weight.
Arizona’s interest in a defense-first first baseman makes sense when viewed through the lens of team identity. In recent years, the Diamondbacks have emphasized strong infield defense as a cornerstone of their success. That emphasis, however, took a noticeable hit in 2025, when defensive regression became a source of frustration for both general manager Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo. Costly errors and missed opportunities in the field contributed to inconsistency and undermined the team’s pitching staff.
By bringing in Santana, the Diamondbacks are making a conscious effort to restore that defensive foundation. First base may not always draw the same attention as premium defensive positions like shortstop or center field, but solid defense there can quietly make a substantial difference. Santana’s reliability, soft hands, and instincts around the bag should help stabilize the infield and provide confidence to Arizona’s pitchers.
Of course, there is inherent risk involved in relying on a player at this stage of his career. Aging curves are unforgiving, and offensive decline can accelerate quickly. There is a real possibility that Santana struggles to produce at the plate, particularly against higher-velocity pitching. Additionally, he may not deliver the home run power traditionally expected from a first baseman, which could limit his overall impact.
That said, the financial commitment significantly mitigates those concerns. At approximately $2 million for one year, the Diamondbacks are not tying their future to Santana’s performance. If he meets expectations defensively and provides even modest offensive contributions, the deal can be viewed as a success. If not, the cost is low enough that it will not meaningfully hinder the organization.
From a roster-construction perspective, the signing also buys Arizona time. It allows younger players to continue developing without being forced into roles they may not yet be ready to handle. Santana’s presence creates flexibility, giving the coaching staff options based on matchups, health, and performance throughout the season.
While the Diamondbacks have not made many headline-grabbing moves this offseason, this signing addresses one of their most obvious needs. It may not excite fans in the way a star acquisition would, but it reflects a pragmatic approach aimed at improving the team’s floor rather than chasing upside at a high cost.
On paper, Santana fills a gap on the roster and aligns with Arizona’s broader philosophy. He brings experience, leadership, and elite defense to a team that values those traits. Whether he can still contribute enough offensively remains an open question, but the Diamondbacks are betting that his glove alone will justify the investment.
As the season approaches, Santana’s role will become clearer. If he can form an effective tandem with Pavin Smith and help restore the Diamondbacks’ defensive identity, the signing will have accomplished exactly what the front office intended. For a team seeking stability rather than spectacle, Carlos Santana represents a calculated, low-risk move that could quietly pay dividends.
