The Cleveland Guardians made two major trades during the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings. In a short period, they dealt three-time Gold Glove-winning second baseman Andrés Giménez to the Toronto Blue Jays, along with pitcher Nick Sandlin, in exchange for infielder Spencer Horwitz and outfield prospect Nick Mitchell. The Guardians then traded Horwitz to the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed pitcher Luis L. Ortiz, along with left-handed pitching prospects Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy.
Reasons Behind Trading Giménez:
The motivation for the trade appears to be financial. Giménez, originally signed by the Mets in 2018, was acquired by Cleveland in a 2021 trade. He quickly became a star, winning Gold Gloves in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and even earning a Platinum Glove in 2023. In 2023, he signed a seven-year, $106.5 million contract with Cleveland.
Despite his defensive brilliance, the Guardians likely found his future salary burdensome, especially given his offensive struggles. Last season, he hit just .252 with nine home runs, which made his $23 million salary in 2029 less justifiable for Cleveland. Additionally, the Guardians have strong middle-infield depth, with players like Angel Hernandez, Juan Brito, Gabriel Arias, and Tyler Freeman, all of whom could replace Giménez at a much lower cost. Another key factor is the development of 2024 MLB draft pick Travis Bazzana, who is expected to take over as the starting second baseman when ready.
The Guardians also stand to benefit financially from this trade, with the savings potentially used to pursue other players or strengthen their roster. Cleveland is typically cautious in the free-agent market, but the extra funds from this trade and strong home attendance could make them more active.
Additionally, the Guardians are addressing concerns about their starting rotation, which lost Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb in free agency and has questions surrounding players like Ben Lively, Gavin Williams, and Triston McKenzie. Luis L. Ortiz, a 25-year-old right-handed pitcher acquired from the Pirates, could provide much-needed depth. Ortiz showed promise when he faced Cleveland earlier in the season and is expected to be an affordable addition to the rotation, as he won’t be eligible for arbitration until 2027.
Ultimately, the Guardians traded Giménez to save significant money while bolstering their pitching depth, though this move may result in a decline in defensive performance at second base.
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