Shocker: Guardians Trade Andres Gimenez To Blue Jays For Spencer Horwitz

Published reports indicate the Cleveland Guardians have traded three-time Gold Glove second baseman, Andres Gimenez, to the Toronto Blue Jays.

It is also being reported that Cleveland pitcher Nick Sandlin is also heading to Toronto in the deal.

Kiley McDaniel of ESPN wrote on “X” that infielder Spencer Horwitz is coming to Cleveland in the trade.

Horwitz will be joined by prospect outfielder Nick Mitchell, a left-handed hitting outfielder.

As of this writing, the teams have not officially announced the deal, which would come as a surprise to Cleveland Guardians fans.

The trade is a shock to both teams fan bases.

Clearly, the two principals in the trade are Gimenez and Horwitz.

Andre Gimenez:

A left-handed hitter, Gimenez, 26, was acquired by the (then) Cleveland Indians from the New York Mets in January 2021.

Gimenez, infielder Amed Rosario, and outfielder Isaiah Greene were traded to Cleveland by the Mets for shortstop Francisco Lindor, and pitcher Carlos Carrasco.

While playing outstanding, acrobatic defensive second base with Cleveland, Gimenez won Gold Gloves in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Gimenez won an American League Platinum Glove in 2023, which is given to the best overall defender in each league.

Gimenez was an American League All Star in 2022.

Gimenez signed a seven-year, $106.5 million contract with Cleveland in 2023.

The length and value of Gimenez’ contract may have contributed to Gimenez being made available in the trade market.

Spencer Horwitz will not be eligible for salary arbitration until 2027. He won’t be eligible for free agency until 2030.

The Guardians are very careful about the length and value of player contracts, so the team control and annual salary of Horwitz was likely attractive to the Cleveland front office.

In addition to being a superb defensive infielder with incredibly quick hands and feet, Gimenez has outstanding speed.

A threat to steal at any time, Gimenez has stolen 99 bases, while being caught stealing only 15 times in parts of five big league seasons with Cleveland.

There is no question that Gimenez’ offense has declined in the past two seasons.

In his All Star 2022 campaign, Gimenez hit .297 in 557 plate appearances. He also stroked 17 home runs.

Last year, Gimenez hit .252, with nine home runs in 633 plate appearances.

Cleveland fans have grown to expect jaw-dropping defensive plays from Gimenez, as he glides to balls hit to his right, to his left, in front of him, and behind himself.

Spencer Horwitz:

Left-handed hitting Spencer Horwitz, 27, was a 24th round selection of the Blue Jays in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.

Selected from Radford University (Virginia), Horwitz won’t become eligible for arbitration until 2027.

Horwitz received a $100,000 signing bonus by the Blue Jays.

Horwitz made his debut with Toronto in June 2023, at the age of 25.

This old scout observed and evaluated Horwitz in the 2021 Arizona Fall League.

Horwitz hit .375 that fall, and he opened eyes with a good hit tool, and the ability to spray the ball from foul pole to foul pole.

Horwitz played first base, and left field that fall, but he profiles best as a second baseman, which is his likely initial position with Cleveland.

Horwitz showed some pop in his bat, and made good contact that fall.

Last year with Toronto, Horwitz hit .265/357/.433/790 with 19 doubles, 12 homers, and 40 RBIs in 381 plate appearances, covering 97 games.

Horwitz became a regular with the Blue Jays, playing 41 games at first base, 39 games at second, and serving as the designated hitter 17 times.

Scouts like the remaining upside of Spencer Horwitz, with many believing he is just beginning to find his hitting stroke against big league pitching.

The Blue Jays are getting one of, if not the best defensive infielders in the game in Andres Gimenez.

They are also getting a guy that can steal bases and make things happen.

The Guardians are getting a player just beginning to feel his way around a big league diamond, with excellent team control for years to come.

Horwitz has some power, some speed, and the same hustle and commitment to excellence as Gimenez.