The Toronto Blue Jays made significant moves this offseason by acquiring top-tier players like Dylan Cease and Kazuma Okamoto. However, they also experienced a major setback with the departure of Bo Bichette. Bichette had been a key player for the team at the plate, known for his strong offensive performance despite some defensive limitations. His absence left a noticeable gap in both the shortstop position and the overall lineup.
From the start, it was clear that Andrés Giménez was positioned to step into the role. The second baseman from last year’s AL pennant-winning team struggled offensively during the previous season and dealt with injuries. However, one thing remained certain—his defensive skills were elite.
Giménez has an impressive track record on defense, having won three Gold Gloves and a Platinum Glove. This ensured that there were no concerns about his ability to play shortstop. The challenge, however, lay with his bat. So far this season, Giménez has shown signs of being healthier and performing better than expected at the plate.
According to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, even though it’s early in the season, Giménez’s value both at the plate and in the field is something worth believing in. His potential could make him one of the most valuable shortstops in baseball.
Giménez was once a highly regarded shortstop prospect in the New York Mets’ system before being traded to the Cleveland Guardians after just 49 games in the majors. He quickly became an everyday player with Cleveland and had an outstanding 2022 season. At 23 years old, he hit .297 with 17 home runs, an .837 OPS, 7.4 bWAR, and earned a Gold Glove. That was his best season to date, although he hasn’t been able to match that level of production at the plate since.
Despite not replicating his 2022 success, Giménez was a nine bWAR player in his final two seasons with Cleveland before being acquired by the Blue Jays. His first season in Toronto was difficult, especially at the plate. He posted career lows in batting average (.210), OPS (.598), and OPS+ (65). Injuries played a role in his struggles, as he spent time on the injured list due to a quad injury and an ankle injury.
Still, he managed to produce 1.1 bWAR thanks to his defensive prowess, giving him a solid baseline of value.
Entering the 2026 season, Giménez was healthy and came off a WBC championship with Team Venezuela. His performance at the plate has shown improvement compared to the past few years. In 20 games, he is hitting .274 with three home runs, three doubles, and 11 RBIs. While it’s still early, his .777 OPS and 117 OPS+ are the highest marks he’s recorded since his MVP-level campaign in 2022.
According to Baseball Savant, Giménez is hitting the ball harder this season, with a higher barrel rate (from 3.0% to 4.8%). His average exit velocity has improved from the eighth percentile to the 19th, and his hard-hit percentage has risen from the fifth percentile to the 11th. These improvements suggest that injuries had a significant impact on his performance last season.
While it may be unlikely for Giménez to return to being a seven-win player, if his bat can return to league-average form, then four wins would definitely be within reach. Combining a potentially improved offense with his elite glove, the Blue Jays could have an All-Star shortstop on their hands.
