CLEVELAND — Professional baseball is a business, and that often dictates the paths teams take when it comes to roster decisions. Sometimes, there's also a dash of courtesy thrown into the pot as well.

The Guardians granted Carlos Santana his outright release on Aug. 28 in a roster move that is as close to a mutual handshake as possible.

The Guardians placed Santana on waivers partly in an effort to clear the way for more playing time for younger players Kyle Manzardo and C.J. Kayfus over the final month of the regular season.

Santana, who turned 39 the day of Cleveland's home opener this season , hadn't produced like he or the team had hoped in 2025. Last year with the Minnesota Twins he won a Gold Glove at first base and had 49 extra-base hits in 150 games. With the Guardians,

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