CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians have made strategic moves this offseason, reorganizing their infield and enhancing their pitching rotation through two significant trades during the winter meetings in Dallas.
The most notable transaction involved the departure of three-time Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez, sent to the Toronto Blue Jays. Alongside Giménez, reliever Nick Sandlin was traded in exchange for infielder Spencer Horwitz and outfielder Nick Mitchell. However, Cleveland swiftly dealt Horwitz to the Pittsburgh Pirates for three promising pitchers: right-hander Luis Ortiz and lefties Michael Kennedy and Josh Hartle.
Ortiz, who had a standout season with a record of 7-6 and a 3.32 ERA, could step into the Guardians’ rotation immediately, a crucial addition as the team navigates the uncertainties surrounding ace Shane Bieber, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery and may not return until June. Ortiz demonstrated his prowess against the Guardians last season by throwing six scoreless innings against them.
Giménez, previously considered a cornerstone of the Guardians’ lineup, had a mixed performance last year with a .252 batting average, nine home runs, and 63 RBIs. While his defensive skills were highly regarded, the team sought more offensive output from their infield, especially with the emergence of Travis Bazzana, the first overall pick in this year’s amateur draft, who is seen as a fast-track candidate to reach the majors. Additionally, Juan Brito’s impressive performance at Triple-A Columbus could bolster the competition for the second base spot.
Financial considerations played a critical role in the Guardians’ decision-making, as Giménez still has $96.5 million remaining on his seven-year contract, presenting a significant financial commitment. Sandlin, who had effective outings in the bullpen but was excluded from the playoff roster, could face arbitration this winter.
This strategic overhaul reflects the Guardians’ intent to build a more balanced and competitive team. With younger talent like Bazzana and Brito potentially stepping into key roles, there is a sense of optimism about the future direction of the franchise. The trades are a bold step toward reshaping the lineup and ensuring that the Guardians remain competitive in the coming seasons.