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Former MN Twins Gold Glove Winner Lands New Gig
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- Former MN Twins Gold Glove Winner Lands New Gig
David Richard-Imagn Images David Richard-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Twins have had some well-tenured first basemen over the course of their history. Harmon Killebrew, Kent Hrbek, and Justin Morneau are just a few that come to mind. Since Joe Mauer ended the moonlight portion of his career at first base, the position has had less stability.
This season Josh Bell or Kody Clemens currently look ticketed for the majority of time at first base. That will be a deviation from Ty France last year , and Carlos Santana the year before . Each of them won a Gold Glove.
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Santana didn't have the same success last year, but even at 40 years old, he's found employment in baseball.
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MN Twins Gold Glove winner Carlos Santana signs with Dbacks
Carlos Santana left the Minnesota Twins to join the Chicago Cubs last offseason. That fit didn't last long and he was quickly scooped up by the Cleveland Guardians . Now he's going to play for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026.
The Arizona Diamondbacks sign 1B Carlos Santana to a one-year, $2 million contract pending a physical. @nickpiecoro on it.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 3, 2026
In eight games with the Cubs, Santana looked cooked. At 39 years old, he went just 2-for-19 and Chicago decided they had seen enough. Back with familiar surroundings in Cleveland, Santana had an 82 OPS+ and was in contention for a Gold Glove once again .
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You'd be lying to yourself to suggest that Santana is still an offensive weapon at this stage in his career. However, last season at first base he posted 12 DRS (defensive runs saved) . That's better than the 8 DRS he had while winning a Gold Glove with Minnesota. His 8 OAA (outs above average) and 6 FRV (fielding run value) remained strong as well.
Carlos Santana has 32 defensive runs saved over the past three years at first base.
Produced a .749 OPS with 23 HRs in 2024 but stepped back last year with a .633 OPS and 11 HRs.
He is 2nd among active players in games played and turns 40 in April.
pic.twitter.com/C8BpK7zy9O— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) February 3, 2026
It's a bit surprising to think that Santana commands a guaranteed major league deal for his defense alone. However, Pavin Smith was pencilled in as the Diamondbacks starting first baseman, and that would not have been great. At $2 million, it's hardly above the league minimum.
Arizona is familiar with Gold Glove defensive talent, and they lost three-time winner Christian Walker to the Astros last season. This could be it for Santana if the offense falls off more, but for now it's have glove, will travel.
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