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Buster Olney, ESPN Senior Writer
DALLAS — The Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a cope with the Cleveland Guardians for All-Star second baseman Andres Gimenez, sources advised ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Tuesday.
Infielder Spencer Horwitz, 27, is heading to Cleveland within the deal, a supply advised ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel. The different components of the commerce weren’t instantly identified.
The deal comes as Toronto is attempting to retool its roster after a disastrous 2024 season and within the aftermath of its unsuccessful try to signal famous person Juan Soto.
Gimenez, 26, is within the midst of a seven-year, $106.5 million deal that runs by the 2029 season, with a membership choice for 2030. Gimenez has gained three Gold Gloves and is broadly thought to be one of many sport’s finest center infielders. He stole 30 bases for the Guardians final season however batted .252 with a slugging proportion of .340, and was moved down into the decrease half of the Cleveland lineup.
In an period wherein executives extremely worth offensive manufacturing, different groups had began to view Gimenez as maybe overpriced for the small-market Guardians, with rival executives speculating earlier on this offseason that he is likely to be on the transfer.
The Blue Jays went 74-88 final season and are dealing with a franchise crossroad forward, which is why they took a shot — a protracted shot, it appeared from the outset — at signing Soto. First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the workforce’s finest hitter, shall be eligible free of charge company subsequent fall, and up to now, the Blue Jays haven’t been capable of work out a contract extension. Associates of Guerrero say that because the participant weighs his choices, he is unsure in regards to the route of the franchise.
Shortstop Bo Bichette can also be eligible free of charge company after subsequent season.
The Blue Jays look like foregoing a big rebuild and, based on brokers and rival executives, have indicated they may do all the pieces they will to rebound within the very aggressive AL East in 2025. The Jays made a big supply to Soto earlier than being outbid by the New York Mets, they usually have had talks with different free brokers and groups about doable offers. They had been among the many groups concerned within the bidding for pitcher Max Fried earlier than Fried, based on sources, agreed to an eight-year, $218 million cope with the Yankees.
Last summer season, the Guardians chosen second baseman Tony Bazanna with the primary general choose within the draft, and whereas he could possibly be an infield candidate down the highway for Cleveland, he has not performed past the High A for the Guardians. Juan Brito, 23, posted an .808 OPS in Class AAA final season and will get a shot to step into Gimenez’s spot.
Horwitz batted .265 with a 125 OPS+ in his first full MLB season in 2024. He’s arbitration eligible in 2027 and will not hit free company till 2030.
Cleveland, all the time dealing with payroll administration, can also be weighing doable commerce choices with first baseman Josh Naylor and outfielder Lane Thomas.
