In the middle of what is usually the most exciting thing to happen on the last day of the winter meetings, the Rule 5 Draft, the Mariners found a partner for Carlos Santana. They traded Carlos Santana and $6 million to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Edwin Encarnacion, a competitive balance B pick, and $5 million cash (from the Rays in the 3 team deal).
The move is an interesting one. Santana was due $40 million in 2019 and 2020 (including a $500,000 buyout after 2020) while Encarnacion is due $21 million in 2019 with a $5 million buyout after this season (or a $20 million team option).