Many Cleveland Guardians supporters are still livid that the organization traded two fan favorites in Andres Gimenez and Josh Naylor.
It’s understandable, though: Gimenez is a three-time Gold Glover and arguably the best defensive second baseman in baseball, while Naylor provided 31 homers and 108 RBI in 2024 for the Guardians offense.
Radio broadcaster Jake Vulinec, however, said that the moves have the potential to make the Guards better than they were in 2024.
“@VulinecJake: #Guardians trades of Gimenez, Naylor are certainly not moves to be up in arms about,” 92.3 The Fan posted on X.
.@VulinecJake: #Guardians trades of Gimenez, Naylor are certainly not moves to be up in arms about https://t.co/BgxueeM6Ye
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) December 26, 2024
“I didn’t see a player that I was thinking: ‘wow, you have to hold on to this guy.’ He got something back and addressed a need. It feels like a lateral move at worst,” he said about Naylor.
Cleveland sent Naylor to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Slade Cecconi, a 25-year-old power pitcher with flaws but an exciting profile, and a draft pick.
As for Gimenez, he praised his glove but said implied he would rather have more offense from that spot.
Gimenez was flipped to the Toronto Blue Jays for Spencer Horwitz and an outfield prospect.
Then the Guardians traded Horwitz to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Luis L. Ortiz, a 25-year-old with a big, power arm and a 3.32 ERA in 2024 with the Bucs.
With these trades plus Naylor and Gimenez’s potential replacements (Kyle Manzardo and new signing Carlos Santana in the case of the former; and Juan Brito or Angel Martinez in Gimenez’s spot), the Guardians gained more salary relief, added impact pitchers, prospects and picks.
It’s hard to see where they got worse.
NEXT: Guardians Have Attacked Key Offseason Need
