What the Blue Jays’ acquisition of Andres Gimenez means for Will Wagner

The Toronto Blue Jays had their most eventful night of the offseason on Tuesday, capped off by trading Spencer Horwitz and minor-league outfielder Nick Mitchell to the Cleveland Guardians for infielder Andres Gimenez and pitcher Nick Sandlin.

Gimenez is a three-time Gold Glove winner at second base and Sandlin should contribute to a bullpen that needs a big turnaround. The transaction will also affect existing roster players, perhaps no more than Will Wagner.

Wagner was acquired from the Houston Astros, along with pitcher Jake Bloss and outfielder Joey Loperfido at the trade deadline last season. He was initially considered an extra piece in that trade, but impressed in his limited time with the Jays, hitting .305 over 82 at-bats while not looking out of place at second base.

He was penciled in as the starter at that spot at the onset of the offseason and was projected to be a Rookie of the Year candidate. With Gimenez expected to receive most of the reps at the keystone position, Wagner’s role on the team, if he’s still on it come Opening Day, will be much different.

The son of Hall of Fame candidate Billy Wagner is a natural third baseman, so he could platoon at the hot corner with the right-handed hitting Ernie Clement, a Gold Glove finalist in his first full season at third last year. That would give the club an intriguing offense/defense duo with Wagner looking like a professional hitter early in his career with power potential.

With Horwitz no longer on the roster, the Blue Jays don’t currently have a lefty backup first baseman/designated hitter, a role that Brandon Belt filled admirably in 2023. Wagner could play some first base, making him versatile enough to accumulate ample plate appearances without needing to be an everyday player. The infielder flashed some real ability in his time in the majors last season and he remains a viable trade candidate, but there’s a role on the team for him if he can earn his keep. Wagner is not known as a plus-defensive player, so he’ll need to hit to justify a regular place in the lineup. Considering the mature approach he consistently took last year, there’s no reason to believe Wagner can’t keep it up.