The Cleveland Guardians should trade Carlos Santana.
The Cleveland Guardians are a team that's been at the center of various trade rumors over the past month. At the start of June, they were rumored to be buyers, but now, they'd been dubbed as sellers.
While Steven Kwan and Emmanuel Clase are doubtful to be moved, the Guardians could ship off some of their other veterans. Zack Meisel of The Athletic laid down the case for the Guardians to move on from multiple players, but none make more sense than Carlos Santana.
"The Guardians could seek a taker for impending free agents such as Carlos Santana or Lane Thomas," Meisel writes, "If the Guardians move Santana at the deadline, that would clear a spot for Kayfus, who has earned a look."
A huge reason why the Guardians would need to move Santana to call up C.J. Kafus is that the team has a preferred spot for the top prospect to play once he's up in the majors.
"The team would prefer him at first base instead of promoting him to try to handle right field," Meisel writes, "Where he's been a work in progress."
MORE: Guardians could trade injured Cy Young Award winner at MLB trade deadline
Playing Kafus in his more natural position would be ideal, and the best way to do that this season would be by moving on from Santana at the deadline. Teams around baseball are looking for first basemen help, so the Guardians could find a taker for Santana.
While teams could be interested in the first baseman, there's a high chance the return for the 335 home run slugger isn't a lot. But, for the 39-year-old, any return would be a positive one.
The 16-year veteran has played with the Guardians for 11 years of his career, and could be looking to head to a new team at the deadline this season. He's the player Cleveland is most likely to move, and would be an expected trade at this year's deadline.
While losing a fan favorite and franchise icon would sting, it'd open the door for Kayfus to make his MLB debut, while also allowing Santana to try and win his first World Series in his incredible career.
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