CLEVELAND _ The Indians are reportedly picking up Carlos Santana's $12 million club option for the 2017 season.
Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball was the first with the news.
Santana, 30, was at the end of a five-year, $21 million extension that included the club option for the upcoming season. He made $8.25 million, per Baseball Prospectus, in 2016.
Santana's performance made this an easy decision for the Indians. This past season he hit .259 with a .366 on-base percentage, 34 home runs, 31 doubles, 87 RBIs and 89 runs scored. Per FanGraphs, he gave the Indians a 3.7 WAR, the best season of his career, just beating the 3.6 he had in 2013.
His 2016 production, along with him not turning 31 until April, made his price tag of $12 million for a one-year commitment a solid value compared to the open market. Currently, he'd be the highest-paid Indians player during the upcoming season.
Another consideration is his fit with the 2017 Indians roster. Mike Napoli is a free agent and with his 2016 season likely warrants a multiyear deal, possibly out of the Indians' price range. That makes Santana their lone option between first base and the designated hitter spot as the offseason begins.
