The Cleveland Guardians made a controversial decision back in the offseason: signing a 38-year-old first baseman to replace the departing Josh Naylor.
They got some heat not only for trading Naylor but also for giving the responsibility of filling in for a guy who hit 31 home runs and drove in 108 runs to someone who would be 39 in April.
Well, it’s fair to say the Guards are happy with the choice they made.
The Guardians could only scratch three hits off Max Fried and the New York Yankees’ bullpen on Thursday’s finale, but one of them came from Santana’s bat.
That was enough to extend an impressive ongoing streak, which is now tied for the longest of his career.
“14-game hitting streak for Carlos Santana, which is tied for his career high (2016),” team insider Tim Stebbins posted on X.
14-game hitting streak for Carlos Santana, which is tied for his career high (2016)
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) June 6, 2025
Santana singled in the top of the seventh as Cleveland mounted a threat, but Tim Hill put out the fire with two quick outs.
Seeing Santana play some fantastic baseball at his age is a prime example of how staying ready and in shape can extend a player’s career.
The veteran slugger takes excellent care of his body, and it shows.
After extending his hitting streak on Thursday, Santana is slashing a sublime .261/.364/.397, with seven home runs, a 121 wRC+, and 1.0 fWAR.
He is, without much fanfare, a true asset for the Guardians on both sides of the ball, as he also boasts a solid three Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and four Outs Above Average (OAA) in the cold corner.
He is also a veteran leader whose value in the clubhouse is often underrated.
All things considered, Santana’s signing was one of the best of the offseason for the Guardians.
NEXT: Guardians Legend Highlights The Importance Of Having David Fry Back
