Sources – Blue Jays in trade for Guardians 2B Andres Gimenez

DALLAS – The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a deal with the Cleveland Guardians for All-Star second baseman Andres Gimenez, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Tuesday.

27-year-old infielder Spencer Horwitz is heading to Cleveland as part of the deal, a source told ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel. The other elements of the deal were not immediately known.

The deal comes as Toronto looks to reshape its roster after a disastrous 2024 season and an unsuccessful attempt to sign superstar Juan Soto.

Gimenez, 26, has signed a seven-year, $106.5 million contract that runs through the 2029 season, with a club option for 2030. Gimenez has won three Gold Gloves and is widely considered one of the best midfielders in the sport. He stole 30 bases for the Guardians last season, but batted .252 with a .340 slugging percentage and was moved to the bottom half of the Cleveland lineup.

At a time when executives place a heavy emphasis on offensive production, other teams had begun to view Gimenez as potentially overvalued for the small-time Guardians, with rival executives speculating earlier this offseason that he might move on.

The Blue Jays posted a 74-88 record last season and are facing a franchise crossroads, which is why they made an attempt – a big attempt, it seemed from the start – to sign Soto. First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the team’s best hitter, will be eligible for free agency next fall, and to date the Blue Jays have not been able to agree on a contract extension. Guerrero’s staff says that as he weighs his options, the player isn’t sure which direction the franchise should take.

Shortstop Bo Bichette is also eligible for free agency after next season.

The Blue Jays appear to be foregoing a significant rebuild and have indicated, according to agents and rival executives, that they will do everything they can to bounce back in the highly competitive AL East in 2025. The Jays made Soto a significant offer before being outbid by the New York Mets, and they have had discussions with other free agents and teams about potential deals. They were among the teams involved in the bid for pitcher Max Fried before Fried agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees, according to sources.

Last summer, the Guardians selected second baseman Travis Bazzana with the first overall pick in the draft, and while he could be an infield prospect for Cleveland down the road, he hasn’t played above the High-A level for the Guardians. 23-year-old Juan Brito posted an .808 OPS in Triple-A last season and could have a chance to take Gimenez’s place.

Horwitz batted .265 with an OPS+ of 125 in his first full MLB season in 2024. He will be eligible for arbitration in 2027 and will not hit free agency until 2030.

Cleveland, facing ongoing payroll challenges, is also weighing potential trade options involving first baseman Josh Naylor and outfielder Lane Thomas.