'It's vital': At age 37, 1B Carlos Santana has provided major defensive upgrade for Pirates

Carlos Santana doesn’t want to hear about his age, scoffing at suggestions that, at 37, he’s too old to be an everyday player or that he’s nearing the end of his major-league career.

The Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman is proving naysayers wrong this season, as he ranks at the top of defenders at his position and among the team leaders in walks, doubles and RBIs and games played in his 14th season.

“He’s played about as well as anybody at first base in the game,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “I think the one thing with ’Los is he does a really good job of taking care of his body. As he’s gotten older, his body has actually gotten better. He’s (37), and he moves just as well. We’ve seen that over the course of the season so far.”

That’s by design, as Santana spent the offseason working to prepare to be an everyday player after signing a one-year, $6.725 million contract. Despite expectations to platoon at first base and designated hitter with Ji-Man Choi, Santana has a .328 on-base percentage with nine doubles and 16 RBIs while drawing almost as many walks (15) as strikeouts (18) in 28 games since Choi (Achilles) went on the injured list April 15.

Santana has provided a major defensive upgrade at first base, where the Pirates used nine players last season. The position was a liability, as the most frequent starters — Michael Chavis, Yoshi Tsutsugo and Josh VanMeter — combined for minus-3 defensive runs saved. Santana entered Saturday’s game against Arizona with a plus-3 DRS and tied for the best in baseball, per Sports Info Solutions.

“It’s vital,” Shelton said. “It was one of the things we talked about this winter: We wanted to get better defensively at first base because over the last few years it was a place we weren’t as efficient as we wanted to be. It’s been really important.”

Where the Pirates pursued Santana as much for his clubhouse leadership, especially in mentoring their young Latin infielders such as Oneil Cruz, Rodolfo Castro and Tucupita Marcano, he has brought balance to an infield where third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes is one of the game’s best defenders but shortstop has been a revolving door since Cruz fractured his left ankle April 9.

“I try to help them in any way I can, whether it’s Marcano, (Ji Hwan) Bae or Castro,” Santana said. “They ask me a lot of questions. I try to help them with situations, like double plays. They’re good kids, and they try to learn every day as much as they can.”

A natural third baseman, Santana played 330 games at catcher for Cleveland from 2010-14 before making the permanent move to first base. He also has seen time at third base and the corner outfield spots, as well as serving as DH. But Santana has found a home at first base, where he has 1,115 career starts. Santana has a .996 fielding percentage with only one error in 275 chances over 303 2/3 innings this season, and he has turned 23 double plays.

“He moves laterally really well,” Shelton said. “Around the bag, he’s just so confident. There is no panic in him. A lot of people forget this: The guy came up as a third baseman and went to catcher and then has moved to first. He’s an infielder naturally, growing up and after being behind the plate you really have to learn to use your hands and he’s done a really good job at that.”

Staying in shape has come at a cost for Santana, who signed in November. Santana confirmed what Shelton said about his body getting better: At 5-foot-11, 212 pounds, Santana’s weight ranges anywhere from 15 to 25 pounds lighter than his early days in Cleveland. He employs a personal trainer for daily workouts and a massage therapist who gives him rubdowns before and after games to enhance healing and flexibility.

“It’s a lot of work,” Santana said. “I try to make an investment into my body so I feel good and I’m healthy. I try to prepare with everything: massage, food, working out in the gym.

“When you’re younger and make it to your dream (of playing) in the big leagues, you can be a bit crazy. You hang out, drink a lot, don’t take care of your body. Now, I don’t drink. I don’t go out. I make time for my family, eat healthy and prepare my body. That’s why I feel better now than yesterday.”

Santana is slashing .240/.329/.373 with 14 doubles, two home runs and 22 RBIs and ranks behind only Hayes and outfielder Bryan Reynolds in games played (41). Santana prefers being an everyday position player to serving as DH and believes it has kept him fresh.

Santana is two doubles shy of becoming the 21st Dominican player to reach 350, and he is closing in on a couple of career milestones. He needs 20 home runs for 300 and 53 RBIs for 1,000, and expects to reach both, if not this season, then next year.

“I want to keep playing,” Santana said. “But what happens, happens. I don’t think about that. I take it one day at a time. If the team needs me, I’m open. I’m not done yet. I want to play a couple more years. That’s why I’m working hard on my body.”

Santana and 36-year-old Andrew McCutchen have been catalysts for the Pirates spending much of the season in first place in the NL Central, and both have expressed interest in returning next season. Santana said he’s open to re-signing with the Pirates, if the interest is mutual.

“I like it here. I’m very comfortable here with my teammates,” Santana said. “The fans are supporting the team. We’re winning. And the clubhouse has good kids. The energy is great. Especially with my experience, I can transfer it to this clubhouse. If I have an opportunity to come back next year, I’ll be open to it. I’m excited. My family likes it here. My wife and kids love it here. We’ll see after the season.

“For me, everything I do is from my heart. I try to help the kids. I have a lot of experience playing on good teams, playing in the World Series and in the playoffs. What I try to tell this clubhouse is to believe it. Believe it when you go out and to play hard and play for today, not tomorrow.”