Indians 1B Carlos Santana Rejects Qualifying Offer for 2018

To the surprise of no one, Indians 1B Carlos Santana is going to test the waters of free agency, as Jon Heyman reports that he, along with all nine of the free agents that received a one-year, $17.4 million dollar qualifying offer, will reject the chance to stay with the team that gave them the offer and become a free agent.

Santana has said more than once that he wants to remain with the Indians, but now there’s going to be 29 other teams that will have the chance to sign Santana if they so choose.

Last season Santana hit .259 with 23 homers and 79 runs batted in, and also drew 88 walks, striking out 94 times.

In his eight seasons with the Indians, Santana has hit an average .249 a season with 174 homers and 587 RBI. He led the league in walks in 2014, drawing 113.
The Indians have already picked up the team options on OF Michael Brantley and pitcher Josh Tomlin, and declined to pick up the option on relief pitcher Boone Logan.