The Cleveland Guardians don’t usually operate with a large budget.
Fans know it, and people in the industry know it, too.
That’s why they need to find creative ways to create some breathing room, financially speaking.
The organization extended Andrés Giménez back in March 2023 after he posted a 141 wRC+ with Gold and Platinum Glove awards in 2022.
He proceeded to slump badly with the bat in 2023 and 2024, and last week, Cleveland traded him for infielder Spencer Horwitz and then flipped the latter for right-hander Luis L. Ortiz and two pitching prospects.
The trade was met with a lot of controversy from fans, as most of them didn’t like the fact Cleveland flipped a defensive star with speed and some offensive upside.
Many of them don’t understand why they did it.
According to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd, it comes down to two words: money and pitching.
“There is a simple and then a more nuanced explanation as to why Andres Gimenez is no longer here. They both center on two principles near and dear to the Guardians: pitching and money,” he posted on X.
There is a simple and then a more nuanced explanation as to why Andres Gimenez is no longer here. They both center on two principles near and dear to the Guardians: pitching and money. https://t.co/3wuDkUYkEh
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) December 15, 2024
The Guardians are always on the lookout for pitching and money.
Dealing away Giménez helped them get some impact pitching, as Ortiz posted a 3.32 ERA last year and is a 25-year-old with a high-90s fastball.
And, at the same time, trading their longtime second baseman allowed them to erase $97.5 million off the payroll.
That’s what Giménez is slated to make over the next five seasons.
The Toronto Blue Jays are now on the hook for that money.
With the added financial flexibility, the Guardians are expected to bring in another starter (they need more), a right fielder, or extend one of their young pitchers.
Money and pitching.
NEXT: Guardians Reliever Will Play Winter Ball As A Starter
