Chicago Cubs Add Veteran Slugger

The Chicago Cubs bolstered their bench this week by signing Carlos Santana. Santana was released last week by the Cleveland Guardians, and the Cubs jumped at the opportunity to add a veteran slugger with postseason experience. The signing comes as Chicago ramps up for what they hope is a deep playoff run in October. While there is no room on the active roster for Santana, the Cubs had a full 40-man roster and, as a result, had to designate Infielder Ben Cowles for assignment.

Carlos Santana Joins the Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs took advantage of one of September’s two extra roster spots by adding veteran Carlos Santana. Santana, 39, was released by the Cleveland Guardians last week in what was billed as a mutual decision between Santana and the team. Santana wanted a chance to play in the postseason in what could be his final season, and Cleveland wanted to use September to get a look at young players at first base.

Speaking to the media for the first time as a Chicago Cub, Santana made his intentions with the team clear. “I’m coming here for help in making [to the] championship. Before I retire, I want to [be] a champion.”

Chicago jumped at the chance to add Santana, a 16-year veteran with over 100 postseason at-bats. Justin Turner hasn’t been able to produce as the backup first baseman this season, so Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs front office brought in Santana with hopes that he can be more productive at spelling Michael Busch at first and occasionally getting at-bats at DH. This season, Santana is slashing .225/.316/.333 with 11 home runs and 52 RBI in 396 AB across 116 games.

Behind the Decision

Hoyer spoke about his vision for Santana with the Cubs down the stretch. “Whether it’s a big at-bat late in the game or giving a guy a day off, we want to make sure we have a solid bench. Depth throughout the 14 players.”

Chicago Cubs Manager Craig Counsell has high hopes for Santana in filling that role. “As you age, you may not be purely as talented, but I think you know your skill set better, yourself better, and you probably know the opposition just a little better. In those small snippets of pinch-hit at-bats or managing a once-a-week playing scenario, it’s easier to execute because you know how you’re going to perform the best there. You have a little more experience with that.”

Santana fills one of the open September roster spots for the Chicago Cubs, leaving one left to fill. With a full 40-man roster, though, they had to designate Cowles for assignment. Chicago acquired Cowles from the New York Yankees last year in the trade for Mark Leiter Jr. This signing is just the latest in a string of moves the Cubs have made that signify how much pressure they feel to have a deep run in October. If Santana can come up in a clutch situation this postseason, this move will be proven to be a success. This signing matches a desperate team with a veteran in what could be his last season as an MLB player.