Guardians predicted to cut ties with $12 million All-Star fan favorite

With the Cleveland Guardians 9.5 games out of first place in the AL Central, there is reasonable doubt that the Guardians will be bought at the MLB trade deadline. But if they become sellers, there aren't many players worth trading on the roster.

However, if they do sell, the Guardians are predicted to cut ties with veteran first baseman Carlos Santana. According to Zack Meisel of The Athletic, when asking the question of who the Guardians could sell, Santana is the clear answer.

"Carlos Santana is the obvious answer," Meisel writes. "Since Kyle Manzardo can handle first base, and C.J. Kafus is ready for an audition."

While Meisel names Santana as the most likely player to be shipped off at the trade deadline, he brings up that there might not be a strong market. "But how much value does a 39-year-old have?" Meisel wrote. "Even one defying Father Time the way Santana has this season?"

"As a rental player in the twilight of his career," writes Meisel. "He wouldn't fetch the club much, but it would at least create an opening for a prospect who deserves an extended look."

There is a bounty of first basemen and designated hitters available on the trademark market this year, and a lot are younger and more controllable than Santana. With tough competition in the seller's market, the Guardians may have a hard time finding a suitor for Santana, at least for the right price.

But, fortunately, Santana has been playing well for the Guardians this season. Across his 230 at-bats, Santana has a .248 batting average and a .722 OPS. It's his 16th season in the MLB, and he's still putting together solid years at the plate.

He's played in 66 games for the Guardians and has 57 hits, 33 runs scored, six doubles, eight home runs, and 34 RBIs. Santana also has 32 walks and 47 strikeouts, a solid ratio near the end of his career.

While a return for Santana wouldn't be great, he is the player that is predicted to be shipped off at the MLB trade deadline if the Guardians become sellers. The long-time Cleveland first baseman, who's spent 11 years with the team, is at the end of his career, and could be on his way out the door in his final season in the MLB.