Crawford, Santana Thank Phillies Organization, Fans With Heartfelt Goodbye Messages

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Nine-year veteran first baseman Carlos Santana was only a member of the Philadelphia Phillies organization for less than one year.

Signing a three-year, $60 million contract with a team option for 2021 on Dec. 20 of last year, the Dominican Republic native likely thought that he would be donning red pinstripes through at least his age 34 season, if not 35.

And yet, after 161 games while producing a career-worst .229 batting average with 110 walks and 93 strikeouts, Santana was dealt earlier this week to the Seattle Mariners as part of the club's acquisition of All-Star shortstop Jean Segura. The other piece to get traded to Seattle for Segura and two relievers was shortstop J.P. Crawford, who was once labeled the Phillies top prospect but suffered from both injury and loss of playing time to Scott Kingery in 2018.

Just a few weeks ago, Santana and Rhys Hoskins wore Phillies uniforms for the MLB All-Stars squad at the Japan All-Star Series.

Despite their sudden and unexpected change, Crawford and Santana still wanted to make sure they paid their final respects to the Phillies organization and fans.

Santana posted the following message to Instagram:

I’d like to take a moment to thank Mr. Middleton, Matt Klentak, Gabe Kapler, the Entire Phillies organization, and most importantly, the Philly fans for giving me the opportunity to play for you. From my first introduction at the 76ers game to the last out of our final game, your passion for Philadelphia sports energized and motivated me to give you my best. It was a tough decision for me and my family to leave a winning team in Cleveland but I believed in our chances to build a winner in Philly. Although I was disappointed that we fell short as a team, I am more disappointed to no longer be a part of the Phillies path to a championship. Moving forward i look forward to contributing to winning baseball and, who knows, hopefully I’ll play against you Phillies fans in the World Series!

Although Santana's .229 average was well below the league average, he made significant contributions to the Phillies in 2018 during their first year under Kapler. On top of producing 20 home runs and 74 RBI, Santana’s 110 walks were the most by a switch hitter in Phillies history and the most by any Phillies player since Pat Burrell had 114 in 2007. Santana became the 16th different Phillie to collect 100 walks in a season, and the first since Burrell in 2008 (102), according to MLB.com.

Likewise, Crawford wrote:

I want to say thank you to the Phillies organization and the city of Philadelphia for giving me a chance to live out my dream. I'm truly thankful for the coaching staff, organization, and the fans for the inspiration to work as hard as I do, day in and day out.

But most of all, I'm thankful for the teammates I've had over these last 5 years who have helped me grow and develop into the ballplayer I am today. You guys are family for life. I wish you all nothing but the best.

To the city of Seattle and the Mariners organization, I'm more than excited to begin this next journey. See you all at spring training!!

Santana was one of two players in baseball with at least 85 RBI and 110 walks, joining then-Washington Nationals outfielder and Phillies free agent target, Bryce Harper. In addition, among MLB batters, Santana (28) trailed only Harper (33) and the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout (31) for most games with multiple walks.

Crawford, meanwhile, slashed just .214/.333/.358 over two seasons and 72 games with the Phillies. Spanning 225 plate appearances, Crawford collected 10 doubles, four triples, three home runs and 18 RBI.

One could only wish for Santana's final message to Phillies fans to come true: the club taking on himself, Crawford and the Mariners in the 2019 World Series.