What could Carlos Santana signing mean for Cubs' postseason chase?

DENVER — With the final details still being worked out, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell couldn't talk about the reported signing of Carlos Santana before Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. However, it's easy to see how Santana could be an impact player for the Cubs as September's roster will expand.

With MLB rosters moving to 28 players on Sept. 1 and Aug. 31 being the deadline to add players who could participate in the postseason, the reported move to sign Santana will give the Cubs another veteran option at first base and designated hitter.

Santana, released by the Cleveland Guardians on Aug. 28, is hitting .225 this season with 11 homers and an OPS+ of 81. Both are well below career numbers of a .241 batting average and 112 OPS+, so the Cubs are banking on some kind of rebound as September begins.

While not speaking directly about the 39-year-old Santana on Sunday morning inside the visitors' dugout at Coors Field, Counsell discussed the importance of building a roster that is deep as the postseason looms and the last month of the regular season begins.

"What you think about is just fortifying the roster and strengthening the roster and providing depth, providing insurance," Counsell said. "Those are all the kind of things you think about at this time. That's what you're going to accomplish at this time of the year. There's nothing more than that. So that's the simple thought. Just fortify it. Strengthen it."

Counsell also warned that whatever moves were made now would not solve all of the team's issues.

"You can't solve everything," Counsell said. "Where are your opportunities to strengthen and to provide insurance? That's kind of what you get when you get one player. The MVP of the league is not out there."

While the MVP may not be out there, the switch-hitting Santana has hit well during his career when playing at Wrigley Field. In 86 plate appearances, he is slashing .284/.372/.473 with three home runs and 14 RBI.

He can also add defense at first base, coming off a season with the Minnesota Twins where he earned a Gold Glove at the position. Michael Busch and Justin Turner have been the only two players to man first base this season for the Cubs, so Santana would likely take away time from that duo at the position.

Busch, who made his 111th start at first base on Sunday, led off for the Cubs against the Rockies in the series finale in Denver, marking the 34th time this season he has been in that spot.

Seiya Suzuki has served as Chicago's designated hitter in 97 games this season, including Sunday. That's the most of any Cub, meaning Santana would take away time from Suzuki there, a potentially tough ask when Suzuki is posting a 131 OPS+ this season.

How Counsell employs Santana will be interesting to watch as the Cubs look to hold onto their National League wild-card spot.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.