The Cleveland Guardians made a difficult decision earlier this week by cutting long-time first baseman Carlos Santana, putting an end to his third tenure with the squad and potentially closing the book on his career.
Santana was released in order to make room for Daniel Schneemann’s return from the paternity list, and while it was an unceremonious end to his time in Cleveland, the impact he made mustn’t be forgotten.
Manager Stephen Vogt had plenty of positive things to say about Santana when speaking with the media on Saturday, saying he made an invaluable impact on the young guys in the locker room and has meant a ton to this organization.
“He is probably going to be in the Cleveland Hall of Fame in a few years, I would guess. What he’s meant in his three different stints here, playing on a World Series team, coming back—he always calls this home, and even throughout this process, he was super grateful and referred to the people here in Cleveland as his family. Just what he’s taught our young guys as well, it’s invaluable,” Vogt said.
"He is probably going to be in the Cleveland Hall of Fame in a few years I would guess"#Guardians Manager Stephen Vogt speaks on the legacy of Carlos Santana#GuardsBall x @WEWS https://t.co/szNxev7AcE pic.twitter.com/X4uBCeVuhY
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) August 29, 2025
Santana hit .225 with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs for Cleveland this season, but he hit under .200 after May and was a legitimate reason why Cleveland has sported arguably the worst offense in MLB this season.
At 39 years old, it’s unclear what’s next for Santana, but his legacy is cemented in Cleveland as one of the best players in franchise history.
He ranks fifth in franchise history with 227 career home runs and nearly helped lead the team to that ever-elusive World Series title in 2016.
Hopefully, Santana catches on elsewhere in the league, but regardless, he will be in the Guardians Hall of Fame someday and will be remembered fondly for his time in Cleveland.
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