Atlanta Braves
· 2026-06-28
The Atlanta Braves have signed veteran first baseman Carlos Santana to a minor league contract, as reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan, in a move to bolster their offense amid a brutal stretch.
The Braves have lost 11 of their last 15 games, including a 5-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants on June 28, and are now 49-32, standing 3rd in the National League.
The team's starting rotation has been a problem, constructing a 6.72 ERA during this 15-game skid.
Santana's signing is a meaningful addition for Atlanta, as he could become a valuable bench option thanks to his ability to hit from both sides of the plate.
He also brings postseason experience, having appeared in the World Series with Cleveland in 2016.
General manager Alex Anthopoulos has hinted that the Braves will likely be active in trades come July, and this signing could be the first of many moves to turn the season around.
Santana will begin his stint at Triple-A but could eventually be called up to fill a platoon role.
The Braves are hoping this relatively low-risk signing will produce significant value, as Anthopoulos has built a reputation for finding hidden gems with moves like this.
And with the trade deadline just over a month away, the Braves will have some moves to make to get back on track.
But for now, the focus is on Santana and what he can bring to the team.
So the Braves will be watching his progress closely, hoping he can help turn their season around.
The team's offense has missed the injured Ronald Acuña Jr, and Santana's ability to hit from both sides of the plate could be a valuable asset.
Throughout his 16-year career, Santana has earned more than $126 million in contracts, and the Braves are hoping he can still produce at a high level.