Report: Red Sox to meet with Carlos Santana this week

The Boston Red Sox are expected to meet with free-agent first baseman Carlos Santana this week at the GM meetings, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

Santana rejected a $17.4-million qualifying offer from his former team, the Cleveland Indians, meaning the club that signs him will forfeit a compensatory draft pick.

The 31-year-old is coming off a season that saw him hit .259/.363/.455 across 154 games. Santana has been one of the most durable and consistent first basemen since establishing himself as a full-time player in 2011, ranking seventh among qualified players at the position with 21.3 WAR and second with a 15 percent walk rate.

In addition to Santana, Boston is reportedly expected to pursue fellow first baseman Eric Hosmer on the open market.