In a clear bet on their pitching development group, the Guardians have, for all intents and purposes, exchanged Andres Gimenez (and Nick Sandlin) for major league right-handed starter Luis L. Ortiz, and low-A left-hander Josh Hartle, high-A left-hander Michael Kennedy, and low-A outfielder Nick Mitchell. Spencer Horwitz was the vessel through which the Pirates’ aspect of this deal was done.
While Kennedy, especially, and Hartle are prospects of interest, the central piece of this deal is Luis L. Ortiz. As a 25 year old, Ortiz threw 135 innings for the Pirates with a 3.32 ERA and 4.25 FIP, and a 7.