Well, we don’t know for sure whether he’ll be batting cleanup or not, but according to Indians manager Terry Francona—and he ought to know—Carlos Santana will indeed start the 2014 season as the Indians’ everyday third baseman, getting the nod over Lonnie Chisenhall.
Having been replaced as the team’s #1 catcher by Yan Gomes in the second half of the 2013 season, Santana, who was originally signed as a third baseman in the minors, offered to move to third base if the Indians management thought it would be a good idea. Toward that end, Santana played a lot of third base in the Dominican Republic winter league. Indians infield instructor Mike Sarbaugh spent considerable time working on mechanics with Santana.
The results were encouraging enough to continue playing Santana at third in spring training. Yesterday, when the team announced that Chisenhall, who was a disappointment at the plate last year, would be part of the 25-man roster on Opening Day, many observers concluded that he would be the starting third baseman. But today Francona made it clear that he was going with Santana, and that he had no intention of platooning with Chisenhall.
This news has to come as a disappointment to Chisenhall, but given his 2013 slash line of .225/.270/.398, he might just be relieved that he made the team at all. In addition to using Chiz at third when Santana relieves Gomes behind the plate, as he will probably do at least once or twice a week, Francona will likely use Chisenhall as a defensive replacement for Santana in the late innings of close games.
Given Santana’s relative unfamiliarity with playing one of the more important defensive positions, this idea may not work. If Santana proves to be a huge defensive liability at third, Francona will probably reconsider and give the job back to Chisenhall. If that happens, Santana, who isn’t going anywhere, will simply see more at-bats as the DH, or will occasionally start at first base.
Santana was replaced at catcher by Yan Gomes, not Mike Aviles.
Santana was replaced by Jan Gomes not by Mike Aviles, also look for Santana to DH a lot…….
There’s going to be growing pains in Santana’s full-time transition to 3rd. Nonetheless, he has proved to Francona and the rest of the organization that he IS capable of playing some solid defense. Jump on the bandwagon and ride this one out because there’s no denying the Indians lineup has a lot more potential with Santana playing 3rd!
D’oh! Of course, you’re right. I’ve changed the post to fix that flub. Thanks.
I can’t say I saw this coming a few months ago when it was announced that Santana would try to play “some” third.
You have to give Santana credit though – a lot of guys would have pouted/demanded to be traded when asked to change positions/give up their position – but Santana put his head down and worked hard to move back to third base. Good team guy.
We can get frustrated with the Indians and their management at times, but this team as its currently constructed is an easy one to be a fan of. Roster full of team-first, good guys.
Yes, I give Santana a lot of credit for being a team guy. I also don’t think that Chisenhall is all that great a defensive third baseman, and Santana is certainly twice the hitter. I think Santana only has to be “OK” at third to be a better choice.
I had read that Santana wasn’t thrilled about being moved from 3rd to C in the low minors. My guess is he was pretty enthusiastic about the idea of moving back. He’ll probably get a lot of unwelcome attention the first time he boots a few to blow a game (which nearly every 3rd Baseman will do at some point), but I agree with those who say this is a good move by the Tribe. Nice to see some creative thought from management.
I’m almost a little surprised that Chisenhall made the team. I have to wonder, if Santana turns into a better than average third baseman, and Chisenhall continues to bat in the 220s, if he is sent to AAA or released, and they let Mike Aviles be the backup third baseman.
Perhaps package him in a trade for pitching?
Chiz is a pretty decent hitter against RH pitching. He isn’t a very good defensive player either. He has platoon written all over him. Santana should be able to handle the hot corner. He did a serviceable job at C and he will have an additional 30 feet to react (60 vs 90). I know the two positions are very different but I think catcher is the hardest position in baseball, so I think he will pair his above-average bat with an average defense and we will all be very happy.