Three days after being released from his third stint in Cleveland, veteran first baseman Carlos Santana is reportedly heading to the Cubs, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman on Sunday. The team has not confirmed.
Santana, 39, slashed .225/.316/.335 in Cleveland after signing a one-year deal with the Guardians in December. He lost playing time gradually during August and was released on Aug. 28 after he went unclaimed on waivers.
The Cubs have gotten excellent production from first baseman Michael Busch, who ranks second among National League first basemen with 26 home runs. But Busch is batting .195 with a .561 OPS and two home runs against left-handed pitchers, so Santana could assume some of those at-bats. The switch-hitter has a .681 OPS against lefties in 2025, but he put up a .934 mark with Minnesota last year and has an .819 vs. southpaws over his 16-year career.
Santana could also be an option as a late-inning defensive replacement. He won his first Gold Glove last season and ranks in the 95th percentile in outs above average in 2025.
Santana would join his third NL Central team in three seasons after spending 2023 with the Pirates and Brewers, helping Milwaukee to a playoff berth after he hit 11 home runs in 52 games.
Santana leads all active players with 1,330 career walks. With 335 home runs, he ranks third among active first basemen behind Paul Goldschmidt (372) and Freddie Freeman (361).
