From the moment he earned the starting second base gig in 2022 until he was traded in the 2024-25 offseason, infielder Andrés Giménez was one of the favorites of Cleveland Guardians fans.
His hustle, Platinum Glove-caliber defense, and developing bat earned him a place in the fans’ hearts.
Some of them were, naturally, heartbroken when they learned about the trade with the Toronto Blue Jays that sent Giménez and reliever Nick Sandlin to Canada.
Well, for the first time since the transaction went through a few months ago, the Blue Jays are visiting Progressive Field to play the Guardians.
That means Giménez, Sandlin, and also outfielder Myles Straw (who was also sent to Toronto in the offseason, but in a different transaction) all returned to Cleveland in a different uniform than the one they were wearing last year.
The organization welcomed them back to the city that they once called home.
Good to see you boys back in Cleveland. 🫡#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/bNR20jziwT
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) June 24, 2025
Giménez was flipped in a deal that paved the way for the Luis Ortiz acquisition, because the former All-Star and three-time Gold Glover fetched infielder Spencer Horwitz, who was later sent to Pittsburgh in the Ortiz trade.
Giménez’s last season in Cleveland yielded a .638 OPS, continuing a sustained offensive slide that started in 2023.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to turn things around as a Blue Jay.
He opened Tuesday’s game with a .574 OPS, which makes it hard to justify playing him.
His hefty contract and his incredible defense are keeping him in the Blue Jays’ lineup, though.
For the Guardians, it was a controversial deal at the time.
Now, everybody has moved on, and fans have welcomed him back to Cleveland with respect and gratitude.
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