Newest Blue Jay Andres Gimenez brings elite defence with offensive potential
The Blue Jays have made a statement. While they left the winter meetings without Juan Soto or a big-name pitcher, their acquisition of Andres Gimenez cemented the direction they want to go.
But what does Andres Gimenez bring to the club?
For starters, Gimenez just might be the best defensive second baseman in the league right now, having won his third straight gold glove award.
While some fans lament the lack of his hitting on his part, he did hit 17 HRs in 2022 and the friendly confines of Rogers Centre, make Gimenez a prime candidate to bounce back offensively.
Toronto was looking for more left-handed bats, which is another reason why they targeted Gimenez.
And while the Jays are taking on an extra $20 million a year, leaving them $13 million shy of the first Luxury Tax threshold, Rogers has the financial flexibility to whether it, especially with the contracts of Chris Bassitt, and George Springer coming off the books next year.
Once that one comes off, it will allow to spend even more on a player like Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
While there is no doubt Gimenez' numbers were down last year - 82 OPS+, 638 OPS, and .298. OBP, the fact that he was still a 4.0WAR player shows just how great his glove is.
The fact that Gimenez already has a career WAR of 18.6 in 3.5 seasons is phenomenal. And while it's declined from 2022, it is important to remember that is still only 26 years old.
This is why Gimenez is so valuable to the Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays were not great in run prevention last year.
And while a re-made bullpen will help that, so too will the glove of a player like Gimenez up the middle.
With a gold glover at first base in Guerrero, and a gold glove finalist in Ernie Clement, the Blue Jays will boast one of the stronger defensive teams. Not to mention Daulton Varsho in centre.
If Gimenez can have a bounce-back season offensively as well, and put up numbers similar to those he had in 2022, then the Blue Jays will have a foundation player for the next five years.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 11 | 158 ANSWERS Newest Blue Jay Andres Gimenez brings elite defence with offensive potential How many Gold Gloves with Gimenez win with the Jays | ||
| none | 24 | 15.2 % |
| 1-2 | 91 | 57.6 % |
| 3-5 | 36 | 22.8 % |
| More than five | 7 | 4.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
