Guardians fan favorite Carlos Santana may end his career far away from Cleveland

Last offseason the Cleveland Guardians signed Carlos Santana to a one-year contract that made it seem like the franchise legend was going to retire as a member of the Guardians. 

While that’s not going to be the case now thanks to his eight-game stint with the Cubs at the end of 2025, there’s a new rumor circulating that makes it seem like he could end his career on the other side of the country. 

Over the weekend, longtime Arizona radio host John Gambadoro reported that the Diamondbacks have an interest in signing Santana as a free agent, though he prefaced the report by saying that a deal isn’t close. 

Guardians great Carlos Santana could play his final season with the Diamondbacks 

The biggest thing that Santana brings to the table is a wealth of knowledge from his 16 year MLB career, which is something that Gambadoro mentioned in his report. 

While Santana only slashed .219/.308/.325 last season across his time with the Guardians and Cubs, he was beloved in the Guardians’ clubhouse and throughout the organization, which is why the Guardians’ front office was quick to sign him to a deal after trading Josh Naylor last offseason (to the Diamondbacks, ironically enough). 

It looks like the Diamondback who could benefit from his tutelage the most is second baseman Ketel Marte, so much so that Gambadoro mentioned him by name in his tweet bringing up Santana’s signing. 

Although Marte has all the talent in the world, he’s struggled off the field throughout his career and irked his teammates last year due to his penchant for missing games, which was one of the biggest reasons why the Diamondbacks listened to offers on him during the offseason. 

Even though Arizona didn’t end up trading Marte, it seems like his behavior is still enough of a problem that they’d consider grabbing a veteran who is clearly on his last legs. 

Santana isn’t all bad, however. He won his first career Gold Glove at 38 while with the Twins in 2024 and was a Gold Glove finalist with the Guardians. He’s one of the best in baseball in the field (even if his production at the batter’s box is well below replacement-level).

That veteran leadership was a huge part of why the Guardians brought him in on that aforementioned deal, and it looks like it could help Santana play in one more big league season.  

Last week it looked like the final chapter of Santana’s career would be authored at this year’s World Baseball Classic, but now it seems like it could come deep in the desert.