Report: Indians have made offer to Santana; Red Sox among interested teams

Free-agent first baseman Carlos Santana continues to generate significant interest on the open market, with his former team the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox among a group of six teams in pursuit of the veteran, according to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com.

The Indians reportedly made an offer to Santana but his representatives informed the team their client will wait for the market to develop. In addition to the Indians and Red Sox, Santana has received interest from the Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and San Diego Padres.

The veteran was offered, and subsequently rejected the Indians' qualifying offer of $17.4 million, meaning the team that signs him will forfeit draft-pick compensation.

With fellow free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer on the open market, Santana - who is expected to come cheaper - is widely viewed as an ideal alternative. The 31-year-old has been one of baseball's most consistent performers at the position, hitting a combined .250/.365/.443 with 18.0 WAR and 122 wRC+ since 2012. He earned $12 million this year with the Indians.