Andrés Giménez has quickly made a name for himself as one of baseball’s best defensive infielders. The Cleveland Guardians trust him at second base for good reason—he pairs slick fielding with reliable hitting, and honestly, he’s become a core part of their plans.
He’s already snagged three Gold Glove awards and an All-Star nod, which is pretty wild for someone still early in his career.
In 2023, Giménez signed a seven-year contract worth $106.5 million with the Cleveland Guardians, including a $4 million signing bonus. The Guardians clearly believe in him, betting on his continued growth and steady presence. For 2024, he’s pulling in $5,571,429, which, considering what he brings, feels like a bargain.
The Venezuelan infielder keeps boosting his net worth as his career takes off. His rising profile means endorsements could be on the horizon. At just 26, he’s got both immediate value and future upside for Cleveland as they build around his defensive chops.
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Andrés Giménez’s baseball story started in Venezuela, where his talent and work ethic quickly set him apart. He worked his way up through youth leagues, eventually signing professionally and kicking off a promising career.
Background and Country of Origin
Andrés Giménez was born on September 4, 1998, in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Like a lot of Venezuelan kids, he grew up with baseball woven into daily life.
Venezuela has produced plenty of MLB stars, and that rich tradition definitely shaped Giménez as a kid.
He stood out in local leagues, and scouts picked up on his fielding and improving bat pretty early. Times weren’t always easy—growing up in Venezuela means dealing with tough economic conditions—but baseball offered both hope and a way forward.
By his early teens, Giménez was among the country’s top prospects. Scouts loved his smooth fielding, quick hands, and sharp baseball instincts.
International scouts often visit Venezuela’s academies, and Giménez made sure they noticed him.
Draft and Signing Process
Giménez didn’t go through the MLB draft like American players. Instead, he signed as an international free agent—a common route for Latin American prospects.
The New York Mets picked him up in July 2015 when he was just 16, handing him a signing bonus of $1.2 million.
The Mets’ scouts were especially impressed by his footwork and arm at shortstop. They saw Gold Glove potential and didn’t want to miss out.
After signing, Giménez started in the Dominican Summer League, adapting quickly to pro ball and the structure of an MLB organization.
He moved up the Mets’ minor league ladder, developing into one of baseball’s top shortstop prospects before finally making it to the majors.
Professional Career Highlights
Since breaking into MLB, Andrés Giménez has become one of the game’s top infielders. His defensive skills, clutch hitting, and speed have turned him into a cornerstone player for the Guardians.
MLB Debut and Development
Giménez debuted with the New York Mets on July 24, 2020, in the strange, shortened pandemic season. At just 21, he played in 49 games, hit .263, and added 3 home runs and 12 RBIs—not bad for a rookie.
He became part of the Francisco Lindor trade to Cleveland in January 2021, which really changed things for him and for the Guardians.
In 2021, he spent time between Triple-A Columbus and Cleveland, working on his hitting approach and defensive positioning.
That year of development set him up for bigger things.
Key Moments With the Cleveland Guardians
Giménez broke out in 2022, making his first All-Star team and hitting .297 with 17 homers and 69 RBIs. He played a huge role in the Guardians grabbing the AL Central title.
In March 2023, Giménez signed a seven-year contract worth $106.5 million with Cleveland, which includes a club option for 2030.
The 2024 season saw him stay productive—152 games, a .252 average, 9 home runs, 63 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases.
He’s often come through in big moments, making him a fan favorite in Cleveland.
Defensive Achievements and Gold Glove
Giménez’s defense is what really sets him apart. He’s grabbed three Gold Glove Awards at second base, thanks to his range, quick hands, and accurate arm.
Defensive stats regularly put him near the top in MLB. He’s always making highlight plays that save runs and flip the momentum.
He’s also won a Platinum Glove, marking him as one of the league’s very best defenders.
Managers and analysts often praise his instincts and prep work, pointing out how he always seems to be in the right spot.
Role as Second Baseman and Offense
Giménez mainly plays second base but can fill in at shortstop when needed. His work in the middle infield has made Cleveland’s defense one of the most reliable in baseball.
At the plate, he’s developed into a solid all-around hitter. Here’s what he brings:
- Contact hitting: Career .252 average
- Decent pop: 10-15 homers a season
- Speed: 30 steals in 2024
His lefty swing works well at Progressive Field. He uses the whole field, not just swinging for the fences.
He’s got a knack for situational hitting, moving runners along and coming through with men on base.
Giménez’s approach helps set the tone for Cleveland’s offense, which focuses on contact and smart baserunning.
Contract Details and Financial Overview
Andrés Giménez locked in a big payday with the Guardians, giving him security and the team a key piece for years. It’s one of the Guardians’ biggest moves for a young infielder.
Contract Extension and $106 Million Deal
In March 2023, Giménez signed a seven-year contract worth $106.5 million with Cleveland. The contract included a $4 million signing bonus, giving him instant financial security.
The deal averages out to about $15.2 million per year, but his salary changes from year to year. In 2023, he earned less before the bigger numbers kicked in.
The Guardians’ front office clearly saw this as a smart investment. By 2025, the contract is providing great value for the team.
Arbitration Years and Free Agent Years
This extension bought out all of Giménez’s arbitration years, which would’ve lasted through 2026. It worked out for both sides—he got guaranteed money, the Guardians got cost certainty.
Before this deal, Giménez earned close to the league minimum. His 2023 salary was $1 million, which shows just how much things changed after the extension.
The contract covers his first three free agent years (2027-2029), locking him in before his price could really skyrocket.
Giménez traded some future free-agent earning power for guaranteed cash now—a move plenty of young players make.
Club Option and Future Free Agency
His contract has a team option for 2030, giving the Guardians control through his age-31 season.
If the team picks up the option, they’ll keep him around for what should be productive years. If not, there’s probably a buyout built in.
Assuming things go as expected, Giménez will hit free agency in 2030 or 2031, still young enough for another big contract.
His agents set things up well—he gets security now and a shot at another payday later.
Net Worth and Earnings
Andrés Giménez has built up some serious wealth with his Guardians contract and might add more through endorsements.
Salary Progression and Bonuses
Giménez’s earnings have jumped in a big way. He signed a seven-year, $106.5 million contract with a $4 million signing bonus.
He started out making $1 million in 2023, but now his average annual salary is around $10,571,429.
The contract pays more each year. He probably has bonuses for things like All-Star appearances and Gold Gloves—he’s won three of those already.
Endorsements and External Income
Giménez’s growing reputation as a three-time Gold Glove winner and All-Star makes him attractive to brands.
While endorsement numbers aren’t public, players at his level usually land deals with equipment and apparel companies, plus some local sponsorships.
His estimated net worth is about $20 million, though some sources go as high as $108,941,118—that probably includes future earnings.
If he keeps playing well, both his salary and endorsement money should keep climbing.
Teammates and Club Impact
Andrés Giménez has become a key part of the Cleveland Guardians, building strong relationships with teammates and making his mark in the AL Central.
Key Team Members and Collaborations
Giménez really shines defensively up the middle, and he built a crucial partnership with shortstop Amed Rosario while they played together in Cleveland.
The two of them turned double plays with an efficiency that stood out across baseball—at least, until Rosario left.
He’s got the strongest on-field chemistry with third baseman José Ramírez. Together, they anchor the left side of the infield, and their coordination has made a real difference in stopping runs.
Inside the clubhouse, Giménez has formed close bonds with outfielders Steven Kwan and Myles Straw.
This young core likes to huddle up before games, digging into video and chatting about opposing pitchers. Those conversations have sharpened how they all approach their at-bats.
Giménez also spends a lot of time with Emmanuel Clase and the bullpen guys.
He knows how important it is to keep things tight on defense, especially when they’re trying to lock down a lead late in the game.
Influence in the AL Central and With the Guardians
Cleveland showed real commitment to Giménez with his seven-year, $106.5 million extension. Clearly, they want to build around him as a franchise cornerstone.
He’s brought Gold Glove-level defense and honestly, that’s raised the bar for infield play all over the AL Central.
Other teams in the division, especially the White Sox and Tigers, probably dread seeing him. He’s just so good at taking away hits up the middle.
Giménez really helps out the Guardians’ pitching staff, too. Starters like Triston McKenzie and Shane Bieber pitch with more confidence, knowing they can trust his range and reliability.
Josh Naylor and Giménez have turned into a steady right side of the infield. Naylor’s gotten better at first, and that just makes Giménez’s work at second stand out even more.
The front office chose to sign him long-term, and that really shows how important he is to the team’s identity. Defense and fundamentals seem to be their thing in the tough AL Central.
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