Cleveland Indians extend qualifying offer to Carlos Santana

The Cleveland Indians did the expected and extended the one-year qualifying offer to Carlos Santana, who can decline and test the open market.

The Cleveland Indians front office started the day by declining Boone Logan‘s $7 million option for 2018, but fans were waiting to hear about another move.

Today was the deadline to extend Carlos Santana a qualifying offer for 2018, and the team did just that.

Via Jon Heyman:

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This move comes as no surprise, as the offer does no harm to the Indians. If he declines the offer, the team gets a draft pick in return if he signs elsewhere. And if he accepts it, the $17 million mark is his market value, at least according to Spotrac.

Santana declining the offer also doesn’t mean he can’t return to Cleveland in 2018, so no one should be too worried if he does indeed turn it down. He has ten days to make a decision.

Extending this offer starts the waiting game to see what Santana decides, and he may not be in a rush. He likely knew this offer was coming, but it is still a major decision.

Accepting it could hurt his earning potential, while turning it down could mean he has to leave his home of Cleveland.

Next: Indians decline Logan's option

Santana hitting the open market opens up the possibilities for the Indians when it comes to the first base position, as in-house guys like Lonnie Chisenhall and Michael Brantley could even slot in there if necessary.