Braves acquire utility option Danny Santana in trade with Twins

By Zach Dillard and Staff
Published

The Atlanta Braves were busy on their off day.

One hour after announcing the release of potential bench bat Ryan Howard from his minor-league contract, the franchise finalized a trade with the Minnesota Twins for utility option Danny Santana. Atlanta sent left-handed reliever Kevin Chapman, a former Astros bullpen arm who was struggling at Triple-A Gwinnett, and cash considerations  to Minnesota in the deal.

To create room on the active roster, Atlanta optioned Lane Adams to Gwinnett and moved Micah Johnson to the 60-day disabled list.

Santana, 26, will factor into the Braves' bench situation after spending the past four seasons bouncing around defensive positions with the Twins.

The switch-hitting Dominican Republic product finished seventh in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2014 — posting 3.2 wins above replacement with an excellent 132 weighted runs created plus —  but his numbers have plummeted since his first season. In 551 plate appearances over the past three seasons, Santana is hitting just .225/.258/.310 with 21 stolen bases and 131 strikeouts. Among players logging at least 500 plate appearances since the 2015 season, Santana's walk-to-strikeout ratio is the fourth-worst mark in baseball, a problematic trend for a young player who does not provide a premium glove and offers little power.

He's fielded every position outside of first base and catcher.

Santana clearly fell out favor as Minnesota started transitioning to standout prospects Miguel Sano, Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco.

“It’s been hard to find him days to play,” Twins manager Paul Molitor told the Pioneer Press last week. “It’s hard to expect a lot when a guy’s not playing a lot, but the fits have been hard to come by. … You just try to affirm the work when he’s out there doing his bunting or his extra hitting. I just try to say something that lets him know you haven’t forgotten about him and just be ready when you’re called upon. I can’t force it either. Something would have to happen probably for him to get regular playing time, at least here in the short term.”

Santana is under club control through the 2021 campaign.

Without giving up much (if any) value in the deal, the front office is essentially taking a flyer on a former star rookie in (desperate) need of a fresh start.

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