The Cleveland Guardians made a rather unpopular move just a few days ago.
They decided to trade their starting second baseman and fan favorite Andres Giménez to the Toronto Blue Jays to get infielder Spencer Horwitz and an outfield prospect.
Then they flipped Horwitz to Pittsburgh in exchange for blossoming star Luis L. Ortiz and two pitching prospects.
Giménez had his flaws, particularly on the offensive end.
He was a beast defensively for Cleveland, always played hard and represented the city and the organization with pride and dignity.
He is due $97.5 million over the next five years, and now Toronto is on the hook for all that.
What will the Guardians do with the newfound salary relief?
Chris Antonetti, the team’s president of baseball operations, discussed the matter on Afternoon Drive 92.3 FAN.
When asked where he will re-invest the money, he said that it will depend on the opportunities the market presents for the Guardians.
He does not want to block any of the team’s top prospects, though.
“We want to make sure that we aren’t bringing people that will impede those opportunities for some of the young guys that we think are capable of really contributing”, they posted on X.
"We want to make sure that we aren't bringing people that will impede those opportunities for some of the young guys that we think are capable of really contributing"#Guardians Chris Antonetti with @afternoon923FAN on where this team will invest this offseason pic.twitter.com/6BYoYFEt7I
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) December 18, 2024
The Guardians could definitely use another starter, since Shane Bieber isn’t expected back before mid-season and Ortiz alone isn’t enough given that they lost Alex Cobb and Matthew Boyd.
They could also bring in a right fielder who keeps the position warm for Chase DeLauter.
Re-investing on the existing roster is also an option, with Tanner Bibee and Steven Kwan being extension candidates.
In any case, Cleveland has options.
The priority is putting together a championship-caliber team without compromising the future.
NEXT: Guardians Pitcher Struggles In First Start In Venezuela
