One could understand why the Kansas City Royals decided to start the season with Carlos Santana at first base. He is in the final season of his two year, $17.5 million contract, and with a strong enough start to 2022, could end up being a viable trade option. If nothing else, he would keep the seat warm for Nick Pratto or Vinnie Pasquantino until they were ready.
That time has come. Pratto may not be putting together the same breakout campaign he had in 2021, but his nine homers and 26 walks over 174 plate appearances minimize some of the concerns about his 54 strikeouts. Pasquantino, meanwhile, is having a breakout season of his own, with 14 homers and 14 doubles in his 197 plate appearances at Triple-A.
Kansas City Royals refuse to see reality with Carlos Santana
Santana, meanwhile, has been a disaster. While he has managed to drag his OPS+ from the impressive 4 that it was earlier in the year, that is not a very high bar. He has a .155/.295/.255 batting line in his 139 plate appearances heading into Monday, hitting two homers and five doubles. His 20 walks are certainly worthwhile, but Santana has the same speed as a broken-down dumptruck, leaving his ability to get on base essentially useless.
It is clear that no one is going to give the Royals anything for his services. It is also clear that Santana is standing in the way of the Royals’ youth movement. He is not going to be a part of their future while Pratto and Pasquantino have a chance to make a difference.
And yet, there he is, continually penciled into the lineup to get pointless at bats. As the Royals are in danger of being surpassed in the standings by a Reds team that began the year 3-22, there is no reason to continue the charade that Santana is needed and that bringing up those youngsters would hurt their development. After all, what is the worst that could happen – they produce like Santana has?
Carlos Santana is blocking a pair of promising prospects. It is time for the Kansas City Royals to face reality and let him go.