The Cleveland Guardians have reached the end of an era. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Zack Meisel, the club placed veteran first baseman Carlos Santana on outright waivers, signaling that his third stint with the team is likely over. It’s a decision born out of both production and timing. The Guardians are stuck in a late-August slide that has dropped them six games out of a playoff spot, and as frustration grows in the dugout, the front office appears ready to push forward with a youth movement.
Santana, 39, remains one of the most important players in franchise history. He ranks second all-time in walks and fifth in home runs, and he won a Gold Glove at first base just last season. But in 2025, the bat has simply gone quiet. His .225/.316/.333 line, paired with only 21 extra-base hits in 455 plate appearances, placed him near the bottom of qualified hitters in slugging percentage. As manager, Stephen Vogt put it earlier this week, “We need to hit. We need to score more runs.” That urgency is why Cleveland is turning the page now.
Kyle Manzardo’s Expanded Role
The clearest beneficiary of Santana’s release is Kyle Manzardo, who has already established himself as a lineup staple. The 25-year-old has settled into Cleveland’s cleanup spot, but much of his playing time has come as the designated hitter. With Santana no longer in the way, Manzardo can now log consistent innings at first base.
This transition serves two purposes. First, it allows the Guardians to evaluate whether Manzardo can be a long-term answer at the position rather than a bat-only option. Second, it keeps his bat in the lineup daily at a time when the offense has been shut out in three straight games for the first time since 1991. For a team desperately searching for a spark, Manzardo’s growth at both the plate and in the field could shape the organization’s direction heading into 2026.
More Opportunities for C.J. Kayfus and David Fry
Beyond Manzardo, rookie C.J. Kayfus is the other name to watch. A Top 100 prospect, Kayfus has bounced between right field, designated hitter, and the occasional start at first base. Now, he has a path to his natural position more regularly. The Guardians want to know if Kayfus’ patient approach and developing power can translate when he’s playing daily. His versatility is valuable, but his upside is greatest when he’s allowed to settle in at first base or DH.
Then there’s David Fry, a player who could quietly benefit the most. Fry has been limited to hitting duties this season as he works back from offseason elbow surgery. He has yet to play the field in 2025, but once cleared, first base would likely be his landing spot to minimize stress on his arm. Even before that happens, Santana’s absence clears the way for Fry to receive steady at-bats as the team’s DH.
The Guardians’ August swoon has exposed the thinness of their offense. Vogt admitted after a 9-0 loss to the Rays that “everyone’s frustrated,” but he also made it clear the lineup needs more production. Opening space for players like Manzardo, Kayfus, and Fry is one way to chase that.
Santana’s exit is bittersweet. His leadership and defensive reliability will be missed, but the Guardians have little choice but to see what their young hitters can provide in the season’s final weeks. For a franchise in transition, this is less about closing the book on a legend and more about starting the next chapter.
Guardians Release First Baseman, Opening Door for Young Talent