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Cleveland Indians: Best landing spots for departing players

By Aaron Gershon

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 13: Relief pitcher Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians delivers a pitch in the fifth inning of an intrasquad game during summer workouts at Progressive Field on July 13, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 13: Relief pitcher Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians delivers a pitch in the fifth inning of an intrasquad game during summer workouts at Progressive Field on July 13, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 12: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians runs the bases against the Minnesota Twins during the game at Target Field on September 12, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Indians 8-4. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 12: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians runs the bases against the Minnesota Twins during the game at Target Field on September 12, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Indians 8-4. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Carlos Santana will go down as one of the most beloved Indians of all-time. Known for historically great plate discipline, Santana spent seven seasons with the Tribe from 2010-17, helping guide the team to the 2016 World Series.

After leaving Cleveland for the Philadelphia Phillies via free agency after the 2017 season, it seemed as if his time with the Indians was over. Instead, Cleveland brought him back in a three-team trade after the 2018 season as Santana spent just one-year away of Cleveland.

In 2019, Santana had the best year of his career back in front of the Progressive Field crowd as he was named the starting first basemen for the AL All-Star team and won a Silver Slugger Award after hitting .281 with 34 home runs and 93 RBI’s.

2020 however, did not go as planned for Santana as he hit just .199 with eight home runs despite playing in all 60 regular season games for Cleveland.

Now a free agent again, Santana is again likely to depart, but this time he should look to stay in the AL Central and join a young and up and coming Detroit Tigers team.

Santana has a world of experience facing AL Central pitching and would be a perfect mentor for a Tigers team in-need of a veteran presence at first base with Miguel Cabrera, now the full-time designated hitter.

Signing with Santana also could allow for the veteran to join a contender come July as if he’s able to perform, he could find himself traded to a contender and help push for a World Series.

Best Fit: Detroit Tigers

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