Still in the midst of what’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the team, the Cleveland Indians made a move to bolster their lineup on Friday, signing Domingo Santana.
According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Santana's contract is a one-year deal worth $1.5 million and an additional $500,000 in roster bonuses with a club option for a second season.
A 27-year-old right-handed hitting outfielder, Santana spent last season with the Seattle Mariners, hitting for a .253 average (.770 OPS), 21 home runs and 69 RBIs while appearing in 121 games with the team.
In coming to Cleveland, Santana will be expected to bolster an Indians lineup that ranked 19th in baseball in total bases in 2019, as well as 16th in home runs and runs scored, 15th in OPS and 14th in slugging percentage. Despite their apparent lack of power, the Indians have largely remained stagnant this offseason and don’t currently appear to be in the running to re-sign Yasiel Puig, who played in 23 games in Cleveland last season after being acquired from the Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline.
Should the Indians not re-sign Puig, it could be Santana who fills the Indians’ void in right field. The Indians have also previously discussed giving designated hitter Franmil Reyes more reps in the outfield, which could make the defensively challenged Santana – he posted a career-worst -1.9 defensive WAR last season and has totaled a -4.7 dWAR for his career – the team’s most likely new DH.
But regardless of what position he’s playing, the Indians won’t have to wait long to get their first look at their newest signing. With pitchers and catchers having held their first Spring Training workout on Thursday, Indians’ position players will report to the team’s facility in Goodyear, Arizona, on Sunday.