Phils Officially Sign Santana (@TheRealSlamtana)

2018 Chachi New Additions #4

On Wednesday afternoon, the Phillies held a press conference to officially introduce their new slugging first baseman, Carlos Santana.  Santana will wear his familiar #41 with the Phillies, the same number he wore for his eight seasons in Cleveland.  He comes to the team on a three-year, $60 million contract which is the Phillies' biggest free agent signing since the Cliff Lee deal ($120, five years) signed in December 2010.

The Phillies like the fact that Santana plays good defense at first base, but they love the fact that he will provide some legitimate power in the middle of their line-up.  And as Jayson Stark Tweeted, only two players have averaged at least 20 home runs and 100 walks over the past five seasons - Joey Votto and Santana.

The signing also brings with it some questions.  Will the Phillies add a big-name starting pitcher to supplement the questions marks in their rotation?  With Rhys Hoskins now moving to left field permanently, will one of Odubel Herrera, Aaron Altherr or Nick Williams be traded?

From a baseball card perspective, and as already pointed out by Phungo, Santana already unofficially has his first Phillies card.  He's featured on Chase Utley's 2014 Topps card, sliding into second.  Santana's first mainstream baseball card appearances (featuring him as a catcher) can be found in a few 2008 Bowman releases.  He made his big league debut in 2010, appearing in most of the 2010 baseball card releases and earning his first Topps flagship card in the 2010 Topps Update set.

Moving On - 2017-2018 Offseason

• Henderson Alvarez - rhp (10/4/17) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Ty Kelly - 2b-of (10/4/17) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Kevin Siegrist - lhp (10/4/17) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.
• Pedro Beato - rhp (10/13/17) - Elected free agency.
• Andres Blanco - inf (11/2/17) - Elected free agency.
• Clay Buchholz - rhp (11/2/17) - Elected free agency.
• Hyun Soo Kim - of (11/2/17) - Elected free agency.
• Daniel Nava - of (11/2/17) - Elected free agency.
• Jesen Therrien - rhp (11/6/17) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency, signed as a minor league free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers, 11/29/17.
• Michael Mariot - rhp (11/6/17) - Elected free agency, signed as a minor league free agent with the San Diego Padres, 11/29/17.
• Colton Murray - rhp (11/6/17) - Elected free agency.
• Brock Stassi - 1b (11/6/17) - Elected free agency, signed as a minor league free agent with the Minnesota Twins, 12/7/17.
• Cameron Perkins - of (12/11/17) - Claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.
• Freddy Galvis - ss (12/15/17) - Traded to the San Diego Padres for Enyel De Los Santos.

Coming Back - 2017-2018 Offseason

• Pedro Florimon - inf-of (11/13/17) - Signed to a minor league contract.

New Additions - 2017-2018 Offseason

• Engelb Vielma - inf (11/20/17) - Claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.
• Pat Neshek - rhp (12/15/17) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Colorado Rockies.
• Tommy Hunter - rhp (12/15/17) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Carlos Santana - 1b (12/20/17) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Cleveland Indians.

Already Gone - 2017-2018 Offseason

• Engelb Vielma - inf (12/11/17) - Claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.