Surprise Move: Guardians Swap Andres Gimenez for Spencer Horwitz with the Blue Jays
According to various sources, the Cleveland Guardians have swapped three-time Gold Glove second baseman Andres Gimenez and pitcher Nick Sandlin with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Reports suggest that Kiley McDaniel of ESPN has mentioned that infielder Spencer Horwitz will be joining Cleveland in the trade as well.
Horwitz will be accompanied by prospect outfielder Nick Mitchell, a left-handed hitting outfielder.
At present, the teams have not formally announced the deal, taking Guardians fans by surprise.
The trade leaves both fan bases stunned.
Gimenez and Horwitz are evidently the crucial elements in the swap.
Andres Gimenez:
A left-handed hitter, Gimenez, 26, was obtained by the previous Cleveland Indians from the New York Mets in January 2021.
The deal included Gimenez, infielder Amed Rosario, and outfielder Isaiah Greene, who were traded to Cleveland in exchange for shortstop Francisco Lindor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco from the Mets.
Gimenez displayed exceptional defensive performances at second base for Cleveland and earned Gold Gloves in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
In 2023, he was recognized with an American League Platinum Glove, awarded to the finest overall defender in the league.
Gimenez was selected as an American League All Star in 2022.
He signed a seven-year, $106.5 million contract with Cleveland in 2023, which may have contributed to him being available in trade discussions.
Spencer Horwitz will not become eligible for salary arbitration until 2027, and won't be free agent eligible until 2030.
Gimenez's lengthy and valuable contract may have appealed to the Cleveland front office due to his team control and annual salary.
Additionally, Gimenez demonstrates exceptional speed, capable of stealing bases at any moment. He's stolen 99 bases, and has been caught stealing only 15 times in part of five major league seasons with Cleveland.
However, there's no denying that Gimenez's offensive performances have declined in recent seasons.
In his All-Star 2022 campaign, Gimenez batted .297 with 17 home runs in 557 plate appearances.
In comparison, his batting average dropped to .252 with nine home runs in 633 plate appearances last season.
Cleveland fans have come to appreciate Gimenez's jaw-dropping defensive plays, where he effortlessly reaches balls hit to his right, left, in front, and behind him.
Spencer Horwitz:
Left-handed hitting Spencer Horwitz, 27, was a 24th-round selection by the Blue Jays in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft, taken from Radford University (Virginia).
He will be eligible for salary arbitration for the first time in 2027 and will be up for free agency in 2030.
Horwitz was offered a $100,000 signing bonus by the Blue Jays.
Horwitz made his Major League debut with Toronto in June 2023, at the age of 25.
This scout had the opportunity to evaluate Horwitz in the 2021 Arizona Fall League, where he hit an impressive .375 and demonstrated a strong hitting tool, as well as the ability to hit the ball from pole to pole.
Horwitz played first base and left field in the 2021 Arizona Fall League but thrives best as a second baseman, a likely position for him with Cleveland.
Horwitz demonstrated pop in his bat and solid contact during the 2021 Arizona Fall League.
Last year with Toronto, Horwitz batted .265/.357/.433/.790 with 19 doubles, 12 home runs, and 40 RBIs in 381 plate appearances, covering 97 games.
Horwitz secured a regular spot with the Blue Jays, playing 41 games at first base, 39 games at second, and serving as the designated hitter 17 times.
Scouts believe in the remaining upside of Spencer Horwitz, who is still finding his footing against big league pitching.
The Blue Jays have acquired one of, or even the top defensive infielders in the game, in Andres Gimenez.
They've also gained a player capable of stealing bases and creating momentum on the basepaths.
The Guardians have obtained a player still discovering his potential on a big league diamond, boasting great team control for years to come.
Horwitz has displayed solid power, speed, and the same dedication to excellence as Gimenez.
Update: On December 10, 2023 (late Tuesday), the Guardians sent newly acquired Spencer Horwitz to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for left-handed pitchers Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy, and right-hander Luis Ortiz.
Ortiz was the only Pirate pitcher to appear with the parent team in 2023, going 7-6 and sporting a 3.32 ERA in 32 games.
Ortiz is expected to be a candidate for the Guardians starting rotation.
The Cleveland Guardians' acquisition of Spencer Horwitz from the Toronto Blue Jays in the Andres Gimenez trade could potentially boost their business operations, as Horwitz's long-term team control and potential could increase the team's value.
In sports and financial terms, the trade also brings a significant influx of 'sportsmoney' to the Cleveland Guardians, as Gimenez's lengthy and valuable contract may provide financial flexibility for the team.
