The Chicago Cubs reportedly added a former All-Star and the reigning American League Gold Glove Award winner at first base just in time for their postseason push.
By bringing in Carlos Santana on Aug. 31, as first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post on Twitter/X, the Cubs just beat the Sept. 1 deadline to have him eligible for their postseason roster.
More news: MLB News: 12-Year Veteran Pitcher, Brother of Dodgers’ Owner, Passes Away
Santana had been released from his contract with the Cleveland Guardians three days ago.
Santana, 39, was slashing .225/.316/.333 for Cleveland when he was placed on outright waivers earlier this week. Had the Cubs claimed him then, they would have been responsible for the pro-rated portion of the $12 million contract Santana signed with the Guardians last December.
A franchise legend through and through.Thank you for everything, Carlos.
#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/Mqr06G1Qib
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) August 28, 2025
Instead, Santana went unclaimed by the other 29 teams. Now the Cubs will owe him a pro-rated portion of the major league minimum salary — about $127,000 for the remainder of the season — while the Guardians will owe Santana the difference between that and what remains on his original contract.
More news: Red Sox Release $21 Million Former All-Star in Stunning Move
Santana has played for seven teams in his 16-year major league career: the Guardians, Minnesota Twins (2024), Milwaukee Brewers (2023), Pittsburgh Pirates (2023), Seattle Mariners (2022), Kansas City Royals (2021-22) and Philadelphia Phillies (2018).
Santana has had three separate stints in Cleveland over parts of 11 seasons. He was originally acquired by the Guardians in the 2008 trade that sent Casey Blake to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
More news: Former World Series Champion Passes Away
Now, he will join a Cubs team that has an entrenched first baseman in Michael Busch, but might benefit from Santana’s switch-hitting prowess off the bench. Chicago enters its game against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday with a 78-58 record, 6.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central.
If the season ended today, the Cubs would host a best-of-three Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres. A month remains in the regular season for teams to improve their playoff position.
More news: MLB’s Oldest Manager Underwent Major Health Procedure, Quit Smoking
Santana has experience in parts of six postseasons, most recently in a 2023 Wild Card series with the Brewers. Milwaukee lost to the eventual pennant-winning Arizona Diamondbacks; Santana went 2 for 7 with two walks in the two games.
In 30 career playoff games, Santana has a .205/.310/.375 slash line. He went 5 for 23 with a home run in Cleveland’s only World Series appearance with Santana, in 2016.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
The post Cubs Sign All-Star, Gold Glove Winner Just in Time for Postseason Eligibility appeared first on Newsweek.
