The Pittsburgh Pirates are sending 1B Carlos Santana to the Brewers, AP source says
Gregory Bull – staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pittsburgh’s Carlos Santana (41) celebrates after hitting a home run during the ninth inning Wednesday in San Diego.
Gregory Bull – staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Carlos Santana (41) celebrates with third base coach Mike Rabelo after hitting a home run during the ninth inning Wednesday against San Diego.
PITTSBURGH – Carlos Santana is heading to Milwaukee.
The Brewers are acquiring the veteran first baseman/designated hitter from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor leaguer Jhonny Severino, a source tells the Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on Thursday on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn’t finalized.
The 37-year-old Santana hit .235 with 12 home runs and 53 RBIs in 94 games for the Pirates, who have faded to last place in the NL Central following a fast start.
The Brewers lead the NL Central as the trade deadline approaches and are hoping Santana can help boost an offense that is just 25th in runs scored, thanks in large part to a lack of production from the first base and designated hitter spots all season.
Milwaukee’s acquisition of Santana indicates the Brewers’ intention to upgrade their roster this summer as an attempt to atone for last year’s fade.
The club owned a 57-45 record and a three-game lead in the NL Central race when the Brewers traded four-time All-Star closer Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres, a move that stunned the clubhouse as well as the fan base. The Brewers went 29-31 the rest of the way and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
The Pirates signed Santana to a one-year deal in the offseason, hoping his veteran presence could provide stability to a young roster trying to learn to win. Pittsburgh got off to a 20-8 start, but has stumbled for most of the last three months.
Santana could be the first of several Pirates who could be on the move with a shot at the postseason unlikely. Pitcher Rich Hill, who like Santana signed a one-year deal in the offseason, could be attractive to a contender. The Pirates also have a pair of young All-Stars on the roster in closer David Bednar and pitcher Mitch Keller, both of whom are affordable and under team control, making them a potentially attractive target for teams in the thick of the playoff chase.
The 18-year-old Severino has played 12 games this season in the Brewers’ Rookie-level Arizona Complex League. He has batted .250 with a .289 on-base percentage, four homers, 10 RBIs and five steals while playing both shortstop and third base. The Brewers signed Severino out of the Dominican Republic last year.