Carlos Santana was traded to the Mariners alongside cash considerations in exchange for RHP Wyatt Mills and RHP William Fleming.
Santana was in the midst of an improved season, after having just an 83 wRC+ in 2021. In 52 games for the Royals this season, Santana hit .216 with a .690 OPS and a 102 wRC+. While the power has certainly gone away for the 36 year old who has posted a career low .125 ISO so far in 2022, he remains an on base machine walking at a 17.0% rate and only striking out 13.2% of the time. Santana is scheduled to be a free agent after this season, and being 36 he doesn’t fit the Royals timeline for contention. This is a smart move by the Royals as they were likely not going to re-sign Santana, and this also opens up playing time for top prospect Vinnie Pasquantino.
The Royals acquired two right-handed pitchers in return for Santana, one being Wyatt Mills. Mills, a sidearmer, was picked in the 3rd round in the 2017 draft. He has pitched in both AAA and the majors so far in 2022. In 19.2 innings pitched at the AAA level, Mills had a 1.83 ERA. At the major league level Mills has only thrown 8.2 innings, owning a 4.15 ERA and a 3.46 FIP.
The other arm in the trade is William Fleming, an 11th round pick in the 2021 draft. Fleming has 14 starts so far in 2022 at the A level, he has a 4.92 ERA and a 4.81 xFIP with a 7.85 K/9. Fleming has a good frame at 6′ 6″ 200 LBS, his best offering is his plus slider. He has a below average fastball which sits 93-95 topping out at 97. Fleming won CAL pitcher of the week during the week of 4/24/22.
A good deal for both sides as the Mariners get a veteran to lead a young clubhouse, and it is possible that a change of scenery could possibly rejuvenate Santana’s game. And the non-contending Royals get prospects for a 36 year old that was most likely going to leave in free agency after the 2022 season.