Santana declines Indians' qualifying offer
CLEVELAND -- Carlos Santana took the expected step of declining the Indians' one-year qualifying offer on Thursday, but that does not end Cleveland's bid to keep its free-agent first baseman. Santana simply made it clear that he will continue to weigh his options, which still very much include the Tribe.Santana's
CLEVELAND --
Santana's decision to reject the one-year offer worth $17.4 million was more of a formality than anything else, as the free-agent is one of the more attractive first basemen on the open market this offseason and stands to get a multiyear contract. From the Indians' side of the equation, extending the qualifying offer was a way to net a compensatory pick in the 2018 Draft in the event that Santana signs with a new team.
Under the latest collective bargaining agreement, Cleveland would be eligible for a compensation Draft pick between the first round and Competitive Balance Round A should Santana sign a deal worth at least $50 million with another team. If the contract is under $50 million, the Indians' compensation pick would come after Competitive Balance Round B, which follows the second round.
• The qualifying offer rules, explained
Cleveland's other premier free-agent hitter,
"Both guys made tremendous impacts," Chernoff said. "If they can fit together, that's going to depend on all the other pieces, but we have interest in both players and would love to have both guys back, because of the contributions that they made."
• Hot Stove Tracker
As Chernoff hinted, the other pieces in place on Cleveland's roster create a complicated puzzle at the moment.
The clear hole is at first base, where Santana was Gold Glove-nominated and a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award winner this past season, while providing power and on-base ability in the heart of the lineup. Designated hitter
When the Indians acquired Bruce in August, the need for an outfielder was greater because Brantley and Chisenhall were both sidelined with injuries. Brantley and Chisenhall are not only a part of the 2018 plans, but Cleveland also has to determine if
All of those factors make it hard to imagine how Santana and Bruce could fit into the roster picture without additional moves to create more flexibility.
"He was a perfect fit at the time that we got him," Chernoff said of Bruce. "I think as we look ahead, there could be different moving pieces, but we would love to potentially bring both [Santana and Bruce] back."
Santana, who will turn 32 in April, hit .259/.363/.455 with 23 home runs, 37 doubles, 79 RBIs, 88 walks and 90 runs in 154 games this past season. That showing was similar Santana's production over the past seven years, in which he hit .249/.365/.445 with an average of 24 homers, 32 doubles, 81 RBIs, 98 walks and 79 runs in 153 games per season.
With first baseman
At the end of the season, Santana said he hoped to stay with the Indians.
"I don't know what's in my future. I'm hopeful that I can come back," Santana said. "This is my house. This is my family. I know everybody. Everybody knows me. So, we'll see."
Jordan Bastian has covered the Indians for MLB.com since 2011, and previously covered the Blue Jays from 2006-10. Read his blog, Major League Bastian, follow him on Twitter @MLBastian and Facebook.