The Cleveland Guardians just traded second baseman Andrés Giménez, one of their longest-tenured players.
He has owned second base since his breakout 2022 season and will continue to do so in 2024.
Chris Antonetti, Guardians president of baseball operations, saw an opportunity to gain pitching while reducing major cost, so he traded him.
Now, the Guardians are expected to start the season with one of Juan Brito, Angel Martinez, or Daniel Schneemann at second base.
Unless they discover a decent market opportunity through free agency or trade, of course.
According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, Cleveland had expressed interest in a former All-Star second baseman before he signed with the Tigers.
“In addition to the Tigers, the Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, and Washington Nationals were all interested in Torres.” “The Blue Jays initially expressed strong interest, but the Tigers eventually made him a priority,” Petzold stated.
Torres is 28 years old and spent the first seven years of his MLB career with the New York Yankees.
He was a two-time All-Star in 2018 and 2019, and as the Yankees’ leadoff hitter, he performed well in the second half and playoffs.
He struggled in the first half, resulting in a disappointing.709 OPS or 104 wRC+, and he has a reputation as a poor keystone defender.
Finally, Torres signed a one-year, $15 million contract and bet on himself for the upcoming offseason.
Perhaps the Guardians will have another chance at him next offseason.
