Blue Jays Insider has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Blue Jays or the Major League Baseball (MLB)
The Toronto Blue Jays come out on top in trade with the Cleveland Guardians
Photo credit: SeatGeek
The Toronto Blue Jays biggest move on the off-season came in December when they trade the Cleveland Guardians for Andres Gimenez and Nick Sandlin.
On December 10th, the Blue Jays traded rookie Spencer Horwitz and out fielder Nick Mitchell to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Andres Gimenez and Nick Sandlin.
The Blue Jays are the clear winners in the Andres Gimenez trade
When the trade took place last December, Blue Jays fans were not too happy since they wanted the front office to bring in someone with more offense such especially since they had to give up Horwitz.
When the Toronto Blue Jays first acquired infielder Andrés Giménez and reliever Nick Sandlin from the Cleveland Guardians back in November, much of the fan base wasn't exactly pleased with the front office's first notable move of the off-season, especially since it meant including first baseman Spencer Horwitz in the trade. -Hall
The fans were not pleased since Horwitz was one of the Blue Jays best hitters last season and since the team needed to add offense, they did not understand why they would trade away Horwitz.
On the surface, it appeared the team had moved on from one of its most productive hitters from last season - Horwitz finished second among Blue Jays hitters in wRC+ (127), behind only Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (165) - and outfield prospect Nick Mitchell, a 2024 draft selection, in exchange for a package centred around a glove-first second baseman in Giménez. -Hall
While Gimenez was brought in for his defensive game, it looks like new hitting coach David Popkins has worked his magic on him as Gimenez is currently hitting clean up and has been one of the Blue Jays best hitters this season.
However, through the first five games of the season, none of Toronto's top three currently lead the team in home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage or FanGraphs' wins above replacement. Instead, that honour belongs to Giménez, who, after reaching base safely in all four plate appearances Monday, has gone 6-for-18 (.333) with a team-leading three home runs, five RBIs, a .944 SLG (had to do a double-take here) and has nearly accounted for half a win above replacement per fWAR. -Hall
The Blue Jays took a massive risk in bringing in Gimenez but they have clearly won this trade.
Source: Blue Jays Nation
Early returns from Andrés Giménez-Nick Sandlin trade have exceeded expectations
Early returns from Andrés Giménez-Nick Sandlin trade have exceeded expectations
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 2 | 1880 ANSWERS The Toronto Blue Jays come out on top in trade with the Cleveland Guardians Did the Blue Jays win this trade with the Guardians? | ||
| Yes | 1673 | 89 % |
| No | 207 | 11 % |
| List of polls | ||
