Guardians flip Spencer Horwitz to Pirates for three pitchers

CLEVELAND (AP) – The Cleveland Guardians broke up their infield and plugged a hole in their rotation.

The AL Central champions completed two significant trades at the winter meetings in Dallas on Tuesday night, first sending three-time Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Giménez, considered one of baseball’s best defensive center fielders, was sent by the Guardians along with reliever Nick Sandlin to Toronto for infielder Spencer Horwitz and outfielder Nick Mitchell.

Cleveland didn’t even have time to welcome Horwitz before sending him to the Pittsburgh Pirates for three pitchers: right-hander Luis Ortiz and lefties Michael Kennedy and Josh Hartle. Ortiz could slide into a starting spot right away after going 7-6 with a 3.32 ERA last season.

Guardians re-signed ace Shane Bieber last week, but he may not be ready to pitch until June after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The deals were the first announced at this year’s winter meetings.

Ortiz, 25, is coming off his best season in the majors, posting career bests in wins, strikeouts (107), innings pitched (135 2/3), ERA and WHIP (1.11). He began 2024 in the bullpen, posting a 2.51 ERA in 20 appearances before joining the rotation in June.

Ortiz pitched six scoreless innings against the Guardians on August 31.

Cleveland has been involved in several trade rumors this offseason, but few of them included Giménez, who was once considered a core player of the future.

The 26-year-old Giménez hit .252 with nine homers, 63 RBIs and 30 steals last season. He was acquired by the Guardians as part of Francisco Lindor’s blockbuster trade with the New York Mets in January 2021.

Two years ago, Giménez was selected as an All-Star and hit 17 homers with 69 RBIs and was hit by pitches a career-high 25 times. While the Guardians have always appreciated his excellent, run-saving defense, they wanted more offensive production from the bottom of their lineup and didn’t get it from Giménez.

The team could also be looking to open a future spot for Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s amateur draft.

Bazzana immediately went to Class A Lake County and helped the Captains win a championship. The Guardians have been impressed with everything about Bazzana, and the former Oregon State star could be on the fast track to the majors.

Juan Brito, who played well in Triple-A Columbus, could also make the 2025 roster at second base.

Financial considerations are always part of any Cleveland move.

Giménez has $96.5 million in guaranteed money remaining as part of a $106.5 million, seven-year contract he agreed to before the 2023 season. He is due $10 million next year, $15 million in 2026 and $23 million in each of the following three seasons.

The deal includes a $23 million team option for 2030 with a $2.5 million buyout.

Sandlin was a valued member of Cleveland’s best bullpen last season. The right-hander went 8-0 with a 3.75 ERA in a career-high 68 games, but he was left off the club’s roster for the AL Division Series and ALCS.

Sandlin is eligible for arbitration this winter and next, then can become a free agent after the 2026 World Series.

Mitchell was drafted in the fourth round this year. The 20-year-old batted .289 in 22 games for Class A Dunedin.

Kennedy, 20, was selected by the Pirates in the fourth round in 2022. In two seasons as a pro, he is 4-6 with a 3.25 ERA in 31 games. He split last season between Class A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro.

The 6-foot-5 Hartle was drafted in the third round out of Wake Forest. In three seasons with the Demon Deacons, he went 24-11 with a 4.41 ERA.

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