Last offseason, the Cleveland Guardians made a bold move-one that raised more than a few eyebrows across the league-by trading Andrés Giménez to the Toronto Blue Jays. This came less than seven years after they’d locked him into a $106.5 million extension, a deal that once signaled their long-term commitment to the talented infielder.
Fast forward to now, and while the Guardians haven’t made another headline-grabbing move of that magnitude-largely because many of their top trade chips have already been moved-the ripple effects of the Giménez deal are still being felt. Especially north of the border.
Toronto’s run to the World Series last season was impressive. But what’s notable is that they got there with Giménez contributing more with his glove than his bat.
The slick-fielding infielder battled through injuries and struggled at the plate, finishing the regular season with a .210 average. Still, he managed to return in time to help the Jays make their deep October push.
Now, with Bo Bichette heading to Philadelphia in free agency, Giménez’s role in Toronto becomes even more critical. The Blue Jays went all-in this offseason, flexing their financial muscle in ways the Guardians simply aren’t built to match. And with Bichette gone, the spotlight on Giménez only intensifies.
He made a strong first impression in Toronto, launching three home runs in his first five games. But that early power surge faded fast-he hit just four more over his final 96 regular-season games.
Defensively, he remained elite, showcasing the kind of range and instincts that Guardians fans had grown used to. But offensively, it was a different story.
His bat, at times, felt more like a liability than an asset, even as he added a pair of postseason homers during Toronto’s near-title run.
Now comes the real test.
With Bichette out of the picture, the Blue Jays are turning to an infield group that includes Giménez, Ernie Clement, Leo Jiménez, Addison Barger, and Davis Schneider. It's a mix of versatility and utility, but on paper, it doesn’t scream “contender.”
That’s why Toronto is reportedly exploring the idea of trading from its outfield depth to shore up the middle infield. They did bring in Kazuma Okamoto via free agency, but he projects more as a utility piece than a locked-in starter.
In other words: Giménez is going to get his shot. And Toronto needs him to deliver.
Meanwhile, back in Cleveland, the return for Giménez hasn’t exactly panned out-at least not yet. Luis Ortiz, part of the package the Guardians received, is currently on paid leave amid a sports betting investigation. But shedding Giménez’s contract did create opportunities for younger infielders like Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio, while also easing some pressure on the payroll.
For Cleveland, it’s about building around a core of emerging talent. For Toronto, it’s about capitalizing on a championship window that’s wide open-if the pieces fall into place.
Giménez might not be at the top of the list of former Guardians who could come back to haunt the team in 2026. But given his expected role in Toronto’s infield and the weight of expectations that come with it, he’s still a name worth watching closely.
Because his story in Toronto? That’s far from finished.