As a young player with a bright future ahead of him and bolstered with a long-term, big-money deal from the Cleveland Guardians, Andres Gimenez wasn’t expected to be headed anywhere.
So, yes, there was some shock factor to shake off after he was dealt to the Blue Jays during last week’s winter meetings in Dallas.
“Of course, I was a little bit surprised,” Gimenez said through a team translator on a video conference with Toronto media on Wednesday. “But a little later, I’ve been feeling a little bit better knowing the staff and talking to some of my teammates. I’m very excited right now.”
It remains to be seen if the Gimenez is the starting point or the high point of general manager Ross Atkins’ off-season as every day, it seems, there is another report of the Jays being “in” on some free agent or trade candidate that ends elsewhere.
But regardless of what happens with the rest of the roster machinations between now and opening day, the Jays have already made a considerable investment in the slick-fielding second Venezuelan.
Owners Rogers Communications owes Gimenez just shy of $100 million US over the next five seasons, a payroll obligation that puts him among the top five largest deals in franchise history. It’s also the richest contract the team has ever taken on via trade, a fact that certainly adds pressure to both the front office on the hook for it and the player expected to earn his way.
And from Gimenez’s perspective, he’s well aware that there will be a big focus on his offence, which was a point of struggle in his past two seasons.
Gimenez is also aware that with that contract comes expectations beyond the superior defensive skill that is his biggest attraction. He doesn’t need to lead the team offensively, but he needs to contribute.
clear that Gimenez is driven to reverse those struggles at the plate, a focus of his off-season thus far.
“During the season, it’s hard to make big changes, especially when you’re on a team that is winning a lot of games,” Gimenez said by way of explanation of his struggles in 2024.” So then I just made sure I concentrated on defence and help the team somehow.
“The first month of the season, my production went a little bit down. Every year, the pitching is getting better and they’re always trying to find your weak spot.”
For Gimenez helping the team primarily means flashing the leather (he has three Gold Glove Awards) and unleashing speed on the bases (he’s swiped 30 bags in each of the past two seasons.)
When he announced the trade, Atkins made it clear the Jays believe there is production to be unlocked from Gimenez, a point the 26-year-old emphasized.
“My approach was a little bit out of control through the season. That’s what I’m working on this season, finding what I need mechanics-wise and approach,” Gimenez said. “My biggest problem was chasing a lot of pitches outside of the zone. That hurt me a lot during the season.”
Gimenez is of the belief that momentum is a huge deal for him offensively, which is why he’ll be emphasizing a swift start to reverse form from 2024 when he hit a skimpy .252 with nine home runs.
His most productive season with the bat — when he hit .297 with 17 home runs — came in 2022, the first full year in Cleveland after being acquired from the New York Mets in the Francisco Lindor swap.
“In the off-season, I’m trying to make some adjustments, things I have to do to change my mechanics,” Gimenez said. “I’m looking to start off with good offence and keep it up during the year.”
When it comes to discussing that elite defence though, Gimenez gets particularly animated. He’s already been in touch with shortstop Bo Bichette and first baseman Vlad Guerrero Jr., to talk shop.
“I’m very excited to bring the defence here and to play with Vladdy and his Gold Glove,” Gimenez said. “I can’t wait to start double plays with Bo.
“For me, my main goal is to just be healthy the whole season and to try to help the team to win on offence, defence or base-running.”
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