The Cleveland Guardians are trending in the right direction.
Yet, that hasn’t been the case with Carlos Santana.
The veteran hasn’t been good at the plate, and with the trade deadline looming, he’s a clear candidate to be moved.
Asked about that, manager Stephen Vogt talked about the emotional toll that rumors can have on the players.
“I think he’s pressing a little bit. This time of year creates different emotions for everybody. Carlos has been around and he understands. I think, for him, the second half didn’t start like he wanted to. We also asked him to play six straight games at first base in the heat,” Vogt said.
Santana was in the midst of a 4-for-34 slump, his worst of the season.
He’s more than familiar with what comes with the trade deadline, as he’s been moved three times in his career.
He’s also been quite vocal about his desire to stay with Cleveland.
There’s a case to be made for trading him, but it’s hard to believe the Guardians will get acceptable value in return.
At 39 years old, and with his recent numbers, his trade value may have taken a dive.
Then again, he’s always been known for his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most, especially in the second half of the season.
Also, he’s a fan favorite, and though he’s about to become a free agent, he would most likely come back on a team-friendly deal.
Hopefully, this won’t be the end of the line for him in Cleveland, and it won’t be long before he shakes off this slump.
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