Breaking: Blue Jays Swing Trade with Guardians for 3x Gold Glover

As the Toronto Blue Jays continue to get shut out on the free agent market, they've gone to the trade market to get something done, swinging a deal with the Cleveland Guardians for three-time Gold Glove second baseman Andres Gimenez.

BREAKING: The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a trade to acquire three-time Gold Glove-winning second baseman Andrés Giménez from the Cleveland Guardians, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 10, 2024

According to Kiley McDaniel, unfortunately for Blue Jays fans, infielder Spencer Horwitz, who possesses a strong offensive game, is part of the package heading the other way to Cleveland. The Guardians are also sending RHP Nick Sandlin to Toronto in the deal.

Gimenez was an All-Star in the 2022 season and even finished 6th in MVP balloting that year. But his offence has cratered over the past two seasons, while his excellent defense at second has remained intact.

The 26-year-old Venezuelan led all second basemen in the majors in 2024 in Outs Above Average, with 21. That also left him tops in Runs Prevented with 16.

His batting, however, is the complete antithesis, as he ranks near the very bottom of all major leaguers in Hard-hit % (8th percentile), Average Exit Velocity (9th percentile), Barrel % (5th percentile) and Bat Speed (7th percentile).

All of that left Gimenez with a .298 on-base percentage, a .638 OPS and an OPS+ of 82. But hey, how about that defense!

He's going into the 3rd season of a huge 7-year, $106 million contract earning $10.5 million in 2025, but going up to $23 million annually for the final three seasons of the deal through the 2029 season (or 2030 with a team option).

It's another nice move to enhance run prevention for the Blue Jays, but the team still needs to go out and address their anemic offense.