In a move that sent ripples through the MLB landscape, the Cleveland Guardians engaged in two notable trades during the winter meetings in Dallas, signaling both a restructuring of their infield and a reinvention of their pitching rotation.
The Guardians, fresh from clinching the AL Central title, decided to part ways with their three-time Gold Glove second baseman, Andrés Giménez. This decision was surprising, given Giménez’s reputation as one of the league’s premier defensive middle infielders. In exchange for this stalwart, Cleveland sent Giménez and reliever Nick Sandlin to the Toronto Blue Jays, securing infielder Spencer Horwitz and outfielder Nick Mitchell in the deal.
However, before the ink could dry on the Horwitz transaction, he was swiftly shipped to the Pittsburgh Pirates, with Cleveland plucking away three pitchers in return: righty Luis Ortiz and left-handers Michael Kennedy and Josh Hartle. Ortiz, who finished last season with a commendable 7-6 record and a 3.32 ERA, appears poised to slot directly into a starting role, addressing an urgent need.
Adding to the intrigue, the Guardians had recently re-signed ace Shane Bieber, though his return to the mound may hinge on his recovery from Tommy John surgery, which could sideline him until June.
The winter meetings kicked off with the thrill of trade announcements, and Ortiz, at 25, is emerging from a breakthrough season—boasting personal bests in wins, strikeouts (107), innings pitched (135 2/3), ERA, and WHIP (1.11). It was on August 31 that Ortiz delivered a memorable performance, blanking the Guardians over six innings.
Despite a flurry of trade rumors surrounding the franchise this offseason, Giménez’s name had not prominently featured in the discussions, which is ironic considering he was once hailed as a cornerstone of the organization. The 26-year-old posted a .252 batting average, alongside nine home runs, 63 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases last season. His acquisition in the hefty Francisco Lindor trade with the New York Mets back in January 2021 made waves, yet the pursuit of more offensive heft from Cleveland’s lineup may have ultimately propelled this decision.
Cleveland is also eyeing the future with Travis Bazzana, the first overall draft pick of this year, who has already made waves in Class A Lake County, leading the Captains to championship glory. The organization has high hopes for Bazzana, a former Oregon State standout who could well be on the express lane to the majors.
Furthermore, Juan Brito, who showcased his prowess at Triple-A Columbus, is another name being tossed around as a potential second base solution for the 2025 roster.
As always, financial considerations loom large over the Guardians’ maneuvers. Giménez still has a significant $96.5 million commitment remaining from a $106.5 million, seven-year contract, which mandates $10 million next season, escalating to $23 million in each of the subsequent three seasons. And let’s not forget the $23 million team option for 2030, which comes with a $2.5 million buyout.
Sandlin was a cornerstone of the Guardians’ formidable bullpen last season, finishing with an impressive 8-0 record and a 3.75 ERA across a career-high 68 outings. However, he found himself off the playoff roster. He is subject to arbitration this year and next before potentially testing free agency post-2026 World Series.
Nick Mitchell, drafted in the fourth round this year, made a notable impact with a .289 average over 22 games in Class A Dunedin. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Michael Kennedy, also a fourth-round pick in 2022, holds a record of 4-6 with a 3.25 ERA across 31 professional games, split between Class A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro. Lastly, Hartle, a 6-foot-5 righty from Wake Forest, brings a collegiate pedigree, having posted a 24-11 record with a 4.41 ERA throughout his three seasons with the Demon Deacons.
The Guardians, navigating the complexities of a competitive landscape, certainly have their sights set on balancing the immediate needs and future aspirations of their roster.
