Slugger Domingo Santana is crossing the Pacific for the 2021 season, according to a report from MLB.com’s Jon Morosi (via Twitter). The veteran outfielder is said to have agreed to a contract with Japan’s Yakult Swallows, the details of which remain unknown at this time.
Santana, 28, returned to the open market recently when the Indians declined a club option. He’ll now hope for a resurgence in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of play outside of North America.
While he has generally been a productive hitter in the majors, Santana hasn’t always done quite enough damage to make up for his defensive limitations. At his best — in 2017 with the Brewers — he swatted thirty long balls and turned in a full season of 126 wRC+ hitting, making it easy to overlook the questionable work in the outfield grass. At his work — in 2020 with the Indians — a rough offensive stretch left Santana a below-replacement-level performer.
It’s not difficult to imagine a prodigious offensive output from Santana in Japan. He’s still rather young and has typically reached base at a solid enough clip to tamp down any worries with his usually hefty strikeout tally.
Seems like a good fit. I always felt like Santana got a bit screwed over by Milwaukee. He had a great season for them in 2017, but then was essentially relegated to bench duty thereafter when the Brewers acquired Yelich and Cain. He didn’t get another full time opportunity until this past season, and I don’t think it’s fair to write him
off after a bad 70 at-bats.
They still had Braun in left, right? I mean, I hope Santana turns it around, but I don’t think it’s fair to say he got “screwed over” because Milwaukee signed an all-star and an MVP. And they weren’t going to dump Braun for Santana.
Fair enough, I just meant that his regular playing time went out the window when they brought in Cain and Yelich. Can’t fault the Brew Crew for trying to improve, but is it not fair to wonder how Santana would have done if he hadn’t been relegated to a part time role in Milwaukee?
Yeah it’s fair, sure. I don’t know if they had an obligation to trade him but they probably should have, both for his own good and for theirs, as his trade value was probably never higher.
It’s hard to know if someone isn’t putting it all together because of inconsistent opportunities or just because they don’t have it. Can’t really blame the Crew for wanting a fourth outfielder who could put up his 2017 production, which is I’m sure what they were hoping for.
Milwaukee def did NOT screw him over. He had one semi good year. Struck out way too much and his glove was ho-hum. We were stuck with Braun due to his boat anchor contract so letting DS go was the obvious call. Showed brewers were right when he never duplicated his 2017 numbers and there’s a reason he’s headed to japan at 28.
Santana played 121 games for Seattle in 2019
Sayonara Domingo, don’t call us we’ll call you.
With Jose Osuna signed, are the Yakult will not re-sign Alcides Escobar? Since the maximum quota of foreign player that can play are only 3 player, and teams usually play with 2 foreign batter and 1 foreign pitcher (Starter or Reliever).
Not there’s anything wrong with Escobar since he showing good defense, and batting .284 with 1HR.
Santana should put big power numbers in the NPB
This mans about to hit 75 dingers
As well as 75 errors.
He’ll be back in a year or two the the NL adopts the DH
Sounds like Domingo Santana is replacing Matt Koch unless they plan on keeping Koch in their minor leagues
NPB teams can sign as many as foreign player as they want, but can only play 3 player on the field. They usually sign 2 batter and a lot of pitcher, both starter and reliever.
Yakult in 2020 have 5 foreign player, Batter (Alcides Escobar) and Pitcher (Matt Koch, Scott Mcgough, Albert Suarez and Gabriel Ynoa)
So far for 2021 they already sign Jose Osuna and now Domingo Santana, this make Alcides Escobar position in question, since NPB teams usually only sign 2 foreign hitter, usually corner infield or corner outfield guy with lot of power.
thought it said Danny Santana for a second… was extremely surprised…
The next Wladimir Balentien.
Slugger?
The big prospect that never met expectations. Seems there are more misses than normal these days
I think it has to do with our access to everything before they reach the pros.
Good place for him.
Putting it nicely he maybe the worst outfielder I’ve ever seen. Every pop up in Seattle was a hold your breath moment