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Chicago Cubs signing 2024 Gold Glove winner amid playoff push

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Aug 31, 2025 1:47 PM ET

Trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 6.5 games on the last day of August, the Chicago Cubs are all but out of the race to win the NL Central. But the Cubs made a move on Sunday to help boost the roster in the final month of the regular season as they try to secure a wild card spot.

Per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, the Cubs are set to sign first baseman Carlos Santana before the roster expands from 26 players to 28 players on Monday.

“The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a deal with first baseman Carlos Santana, according to a source briefed on the negotiations, adding a decorated player who was recently released by the Cleveland Guardians so that he could pursue a better opportunity with a playoff contender,” Mooney wrote.

“With Sunday serving as a deadline to establish postseason eligibility, the Cubs will gain a Gold Glove defender and a right-handed hitter with 335 career home runs.”

The Chicago Cubs are adding veteran first baeman Carolos Santana

Santana, 39, was released by the Guardians on Thursday. The Cubs quickly pounced on the opportunity to land the 2019 All-Star and 2024 Gold Glove winner. In his 16-year MLB career, Santana has recorded a batting average of .241, 335 home runs, and 1,134 RBI.

In 396 at-bats this season, Santana has recorded a batting average of .225 on 89 hits, 11 home runs, 49 runs scored, and driven in 52 RBI. The veteran will help to improve an offense that has struggled to find consistency since the All-Star break in July.

Santana has never won a World Series, and the 2025 Cubs present the decorated player with an opportunity to win the MLB’s most prestigious prize in the waning time of his career.

The Cubs’ choice to be quiet at the trade deadline has haunted them in the second half of the season. Look for Chicago to add a couple of pieces as they make a push for greater things in October.