Gimenez Traded, Hamilton Cooperstown Nod

[Dutch Oven]

The Guardians traded away former 2022 All-Star second baseman to the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this week for 1B/2B Spencer Horwitz, then traded him to Pittsburgh for starting pitcher Luis Ortiz and Lefty pitching prospects Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy. Ortiz split time as a starter and reliever last season for the Pirates, and did well in both roles. I would imagine the Guardians are looking at him for their rotation. His ERA was impressive last season, even if all his peripheral stats pointed to a guy who might struggle to match that production again. Still, he has a good arm (throws in the mid 90s) and the G's develop pitching very well. I'm more intrigued with the Lefty prospects Hartle and Kennedy, 3rd and 4th round draft picks recently who don't throw super hard but can fill the strike zone with multiple pitches. The G's love those guys like that, Bieber and Bibee come to mind.

Now, you might think "Trading Gimenez was just a salary dump!" and you wouldn't be wrong. It was a salary dump, and the Guardians should thank 8lb, 6oz baby Jesus that the Blue Jays took the remaining 5 years and $90+ mill left on Gimenez's contract off our hands. Andres is an amazing defensive player, many who watched Robbie Alomar say Gimenez is actually better defensively at second, but since his stellar 2022 offensive season, which got him the 7 year/$106.5 mill contract (.297BA/.373OBP/.466SLG for an outstanding 141 OPS+, 100 OPS+ is average) he has had two pretty poor offensive seasons. (2023: .251BA/.314OPS/.399SLG/96 OPS+, 2024: .252BA/.298OBP/.340SLG/82 OPS+). The Gs have a glut of middle infielders at the MLB and minor league level, but keep the name Juan Brito on your mind, for he could be the guy this season. Brito, 22 years old, had 60+ doubles and homers for Columbus last season and could be ready to take over the spot come this spring. Guardians #1 overall pick Travis Bazzana will probably start the season at the AA level at Akron, so he's not far off.

Also this week, the voice of the Guardians Tom Hamilton was awarded the 2025 Ford Frick Award for broadcasting excellence and will be given the award during next summer's Hall of Fame Inductions. Hamilton, 70, has been in Cleveland since joining Herb Score in 1990, and is considered league-wide as one of the best announcers.