Cleveland Guardians fans were in for a surprise on Tuesday night.
For many of them, it was a rather unpleasant one: the front office traded starting second baseman Andrés Giménez and reliever Nick Sandlin to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Spencer Horwitz and outfield prospect Nick Mitchell.
How Giménez is viewed by fans differs depending on who you ask.
Many supporters state that he was one of the most important players on the team, a defensive wizard who struggled with the stick in the last two years but still has some offensive potential.
Others will tell you that the fact the Guardians got rid of each and every dollar remaining on his contract (about $97 million, approximately) was huge and that the organization will easily survive without him.
Players, of course, were also disappointed.
Steven Kwan was one of them.
Steven Kwan reacts to the Gimenez trade 😔😔😔 pic.twitter.com/DRT47XdUvG
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) December 11, 2024
The All-Star outfielder posted a sad face in his social media accounts, quoting the trade.
Kwan and Giménez are two of the most impactful defenders in the league, having won the Gold Glove award three straight years at their respective positions.
That’s why Kwan knows the value of having a defender like Giménez.
Unfortunately, the game requires more than just an elite glove.
After posting a 141 wRC+ in his breakout 2022, he slipped to 96 in 2023 and 83 in 2024.
Each year, the notion that his 2022 was an isolated campaign gains traction.
Kwan, of course, will miss the teammate and the person.
Shortstop Brayan Rocchio and other Guardians who posted on their social media accounts reacting to the trade will, too.
Giménez represented the Guardians with pride and dignity.
Financially speaking, however, it made sense to trade him if they had a chance of another squad taking on the rest of his contract.
NEXT: Guardians Make Late Night Trade To Bring In Starting Pitcher And Two Prospects
