Cleveland Guardians fans grew fond of Josh Naylor through the years.
He broke out in Cleveland and contributed power and run-producing ability night in and night out for years.
Last year, he homered 31 times and drove in 108 runs, both marks being second on the team behind Jose Ramirez.
But the Guards, knowing he will hit the free agent market after the 2025 season, traded him for a pitcher and a draft pick.
To replace him, the organization brought back an old friend, Carlos Santana, on a one-year deal.
Santana is quietly getting ready for the season ahead, taking batting practice and finding his timing and strength.
“Cleveland #Guardians (1B) Carlos Santana taking BP down in Tampa, Florida getting ready for spring training. Video by Solo Baseball on Instagram,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
Cleveland #Guardians (1B) Carlos Santana taking BP down in Tampa, Florida getting ready for spring training.
Video by Solo Baseball on Instagram. #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/b5P7wENTvi
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) January 28, 2025
Santana will turn 39 in early April and is evidently not the player he was in his 20s.
No one can defeat Father Time.
However, the Guardians wouldn’t have signed him if they didn’t think he could help the big league club in 2025, and based on the year he had in Minnesota in 2024, he certainly can.
Santana’s 114 wRC+ was very close to Naylor’s 118.
The newcomer’s WAR, 3.0, was also superior to the current Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman (2.3) due to his excellent defense.
Yes, Naylor has superior power, but Santana does have some pop and much more patience and willingness to walk than Naylor.
The lineup as a whole will benefit from that.
Santana is also a model of health and consistency: he has never played fewer than 131 games in a season (except for the pandemic campaign, where he played all 60) since becoming an MLB regular in 2011 with Cleveland.
The switch-hitter is already working on his physique and his game and should be able to be a serviceable replacement for Naylor.
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