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| (Getty Images) |
As expected, Cleveland 1B
Carlos Santana turned down the Tribe's $17.4 million qualifying offer—clearing the path for the Red Sox (and other teams) to pursue the free agent. If Santana gets a contract worth more than $50 million (an absolute
certainty), then the Indians get a compensatory draft pick from the signing team (after the first round). As the off-season moves on, Santana appears to be the most appealing first-base option for
The Carmine Hose—a middle-of-the-order, switch-hitting power bat who gets on base
and is
also an elite defender (he won the 2017
Wilson Defensive Player Of The Year Award for 1B). Of course, there are even cheaper options (e.g.,
Logan Morrison,
Yonder Alsonso), but Santana seems to make the most sense.
