GOODYEAR, Ariz. – How happy is Carlos Santana to be back in Cleveland? Happy enough to say that he missed everything about Cleveland, including the reporters who covered him when he played for the Indians.

When was the last time you heard a player say that?

“I’m excited. Happy, happy, happy to be back home,” said Santana on Saturday morning at the Tribe’s training site. “Right now, I can’t believe it. My family and I are so excited to be back home. I was here for a long time.”

Santana spent parts of seven big-league seasons – his entire career to that point – with the Indians before signing a three-year, $60 million deal with the Phillies after the 2017 season. He played one season in the City of Brotherly Love before being traded to the rebuilding Mariners for Juan Nicasio, James Pazos and Jean Segura on Dec. 3.

But Santana never unpacked his bags. He had a feeling that he was bound for another team.

“I felt it in my heart that Seattle would trade me,” said Santana. “They were rebuilding and they’d already traded Segura, Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz. I didn’t know where, but I felt like I’d get traded. Thank God it was Cleveland.”

When Santana was traded to Seattle, Edwin Encarnacion sent him a text jokingly saying, “Good luck in Seattle.” Santana and Encarnacion were teammates with the Indians in 2017. Ten days later, the Indians traded Encarnacion to Seattle for Santana and Yandy Diaz to Tampa Bay for Jake Bauers in a three-team deal. Santana naturally texted Encarnacion.

“Edwin and I have a very good relationship,” said Santana. “He was playing with me and sent me a text, “Good luck in Seattle.” When I got traded, I sent him a text that said, “Good luck in Seattle, too.’ He’s a great man and a great player.’”

Many felt the Mariners would flip Encarnacion just like they did with Santana. But so far the man who hit 70 homers and drove in 214 runs for the Indians in the last two years is still with Seattle.

The Indians traded away the middle of their lineup, dispatching Encarnacion, Yonder Alonso, Yan Gomes and Diaz in cost-cutting deals this offseason. Other productive hitters such as Michael Brantley and Melky Cabrera left through free agency.

It means the middle of the lineup is wide open for Santana and whoever else joins him. Last year the switch-hitting Santana batted a career-low .229 (128-for-560), but hit 24 homers with 86 RBI, one shy of his career high. As usually he played a lot of games, a career high 161, and drew a lot of walks, the second most in his career with 110.

Santana said he had some trouble adjusting to the National League.

“It’s a different game,” he said. “Different pitchers. I had fun, but I like the American League better.”

It’s still unclear where Santana is going to see the most playing time – first base, DH and possibly the outfield. Wherever he ends up, he’ll probably be exchanging positions with Bauers.

“They haven’t talked to me yet, but I’m open to anything,” said Santana, who has caught, played third base, first base and the outfield for Francona in Cleveland.

“Everybody knows I’m a guy who likes to play,” said Santana. “I want to help my teammates. I’ll help (Francisco) Lindor, Jose (Ramirez), any younger player. I have no preference. If Tito needs me, I’ll do whatever.”

Francona said he wants to talk to Santana and Bauers. That should happen Sunday when Francona and the front office meet with each position player in one-on-one meetings. Position players were scheduled to report on Saturday, take their physicals on Sunday and participate in the first full-squad workout of spring training on Monday.

“Between Bauers and Santana, we need to figure out what ends up best for our team,” said Francona. “To do that we need to communicate with both those guys and watch them play for a while.”

Santana, 32, is from the Dominican Republic, but he still owns a home in Cleveland.

“This is my home,” said Santana. “I hope I finish my career here. I want to. That’s how I’m thinking. I love Cleveland. I love the people. I love the fans.

“They’ve known me for a long time and I know everybody.”