Pirates add Santana in search of power, veteran presence and vibes
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Carlos Santana tugged at his new Pittsburgh Pirates cap, pulled at his jersey and broke into an impromptu dance.
Cities change. Circumstances change. Expectations change. The urge to get free at any time when the second strikes the veteran first baseman/designated hitter doesn’t.
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“That’s who I am, just a really happy person,” Santana stated by means of a translator Tuesday after signing a one-year, $6.75-million deal to offer Pittsburgh’s younger group an elder statesman of types. “I really like to have a good time.”
A vibe that’s been in brief provide for the Pirates through the group’s methodical and bumpy bottom-up transform beneath common supervisor Ben Cherington. While Cherington has spent the final three years making an attempt to stack the crew’s minor league system with as many prospects as attainable, the key league product has suffered.
The Pirates have completed with not less than a share of final place within the NL Central in every of Cherington’s three seasons. Adding Santana and fellow first baseman Ji-Man Choi — acquired in a commerce with Tampa Bay on Nov. 10 — is a part of a plan to make the key league membership extra aggressive subsequent summer time.
“I think what it signals is we want to get better and we want to get better in 2023,” Cherington stated. “We think we’ve got a group of young players that has a chance to help us get better and continue to get better and we’ll try to add to that group in the way that makes the most sense.”
Pittsburgh struggled to hit with energy constantly whereas ending 62-100 in 2022. The Pirates completed close to the underside of the majors in runs (twenty seventh), on-base share (twenty eighth) and slugging (twenty seventh).
While Santana hit simply .202 final season, he posted a .316 on-base share, which might have been adequate for third on the Pirates. The switch-hitter additionally mashed 19 house runs, 15 of them for the Mariners, who acquired Santana in late June to assist gasoline the crew’s first playoff berth since 2001.
The inviting presence of the quick porch over the Clemente Wall in proper subject at PNC Park and the MLB’s choice to ban the shift in 2023 might assist Santana present some safety within the lineup for star middle fielder Bryan Reynolds and younger shortstop Oneil Cruz, amongst others.
“You could look back at the last two or three seasons, and you could see I’m probably one of the players most affected by a shift,” Santana stated. “I think now that it will be banned, it’s going to help me greatly getting on base.”
Santana additionally is aware of what it’s prefer to be on a younger crew in a smaller market looking for its footing. He reached the postseason 4 occasions whereas spending a decade in Cleveland at the beginning of his profession and his expertise helped calm an upstart Mariners clubhouse because the crew surged to an unbelievable playoff berth.
While Pittsburgh should still be a yr or two away from really contending, Santana is excessive on the group’s potential and wanting to be a mentor.
“I will try to help out in two ways,” Santana stated. “One, with my performance and the work that I put out. Also just hoping to be a role model with the way I carry myself as a good teammate. Not just on the field but being a good person off the field around them as well.”
Cherington stated it is going to be as much as supervisor Derek Shelton to determine whether or not Choi or Santana play first base or function the designated hitter on a given day. Both stay succesful defenders and provides the Pirates choices with official expertise at a place that was a critical weak spot in 2022.
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Santana joked he might have a brand new glove to take care of the fastballs Cruz will hearth from shortstop. He’s comfortable to chip in any means he can for a crew that would profit from a participant who has been the place it’s making an attempt to go.
“I’ve been in this situation before,” Santana stated. “I’ve been in a clubhouse with a lot of young talent. I can bring my experience and be there for them.”
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