MLB Rumors: Andrés Giménez, Nick Sandlin Traded to Blue Jays; Guardians Get Horwitz

The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a trade to acquire second baseman Andrés Giménez and pitcher Nick Sandlin from the Cleveland Guardians, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported.

The Guardians will receive infielder Spencer Horwitz from the Blue Jays as part of the deal, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Giménez, who turned 26 in September, has won three consecutive Gold Glove Awards with the Guardians.

He has five seasons and a club option remaining on the seven-year, $106.5 million contract he signed with Cleveland in 2023.

Giménez slashed .252/.298/.340 for the Guardians and led AL position players with 20 defensive runs saved in 2024. He also stole 30 bases for the second straight season.

His campaign for a second straight Platinum Glove was capped off by a highlight-reel defensive play against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a Game 3 ALCS victory.

Giménez is now set to join an infield staffed by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base and Bo Bichette at shortstop.

Both Guerrero and Bichette are currently set to hit free agency after the 2025 season, so the Blue Jays will need to make further commitments in order to cement the long-term future of their infield.

Horwitz started 37 games at second base last season, but finished the season mostly at first base or as DH after top prospect Will Wagner joined the team in August. Wagner's season was ended early by a knee injury, and he will retain rookie status heading into 2024.

The Blue Jays will also add Sandlin to the bullpen after the right-hander recorded a career-low -0.1 WAR through 68 appearances and 57.2 innings pitched with the Guardians last season. He finished his four seasons in Cleveland with a career 3.27 ERA.

Toronto will hope the addition of Giménez will help the club turn things around after last season's last-place finish in the AL East and disappointing news in the Tuesday night draft lottery. The Blue Jays entered the lottery with a 7.48 percent chance at selecting the No. 1 pick for the first time in franchise history, but instead dropped to No. 8.