Gimenez, Rosario vying for shortstop

Andres Gimenez grew up idolizing former Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel. In less than three months, he could be roaming the same part of the Progressive Field infield Vizquel patrolled from 1994-2004.

Gimenez and Amed Rosario were acquired from the Mets on Jan. 5 for All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco. The Indians also got pitching prospect Josh Wolf and outfield prospect Isaiah Greene in the deal.

Rosario and Gimenez were on Zoom Jan. 21 with media covering the Indians. Both players have their eyes on taking over for Lindor.

The Indians also have an opening at second base. Cesar Hernandez, the second baseman last season, is a free agent.

“They haven’t reached out to us yet,” Gimenez said through an interpreter. “I mean I’m aware that we’re capable of playing the position, but they haven’t let us know yet. I’m sure they’ll let us know in spring training. But the thing for sure that I know is that all of us are capable and willing to help the team win any way we can.

“Normally I feel more comfortable at shortstop because that’s where I’ve played before. But I work hard, especially in the offseason to be able to defend all the positions on the infield and be able to do a good job in any of them.”

Gimenez, 22, started 22 games at shortstop, four at second base and three at third base as a rookie with the Mets last year when the season was shortened to 60 games because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. He played in 15 games at second as a substitute.

Rosario, 25, started 141 games at shortstop in 2018, 151 in 2019 and 37 last year, all with the Mets.

“I’ve been a shortstop my whole career,” Rosario said. “I’ve never been in another position. In ‘19 I had to help in left field, but that was for one game. In Triple-A I played a couple games at third base, but I consider myself a shortstop. However, I know I’m here to the help the team, and I know I’m happy to help them any way I can.”

Gimenez was 6 when Vizquel last played for the Indians 16 years ago. Vizquel, now 53, signed with San Francisco in 2005 as a free agent. He played four seasons with the Giants, one with the Rangers, two with the White Sox and one with the Blue Jays over a career that spanned 24 seasons and four decades. He played five seasons in Seattle before being traded to the Indians for Felix Fermin, Reggie Jefferson and cash.

Though Gimenez was still a little boy when Vizquel left the Indians, he was 14 by the time Omar retired. Both are from Venezuela, and it would be difficult to find a boy in that South American country who cares about baseball and doesn’t know the name Omar Vizquel.

“My idols are two,” Gimenez said. “Vizquel is one, and Carlos Gonzalez is the other one. So, when I was a kid, I wanted to be like them, and here we are.

“You dream that. I’m living the dream now. I’m going to be in the same place where my idol was good. It’s an honor for me. I’m really surprised at that.”

Rosario’s experience at shortstop might give him an edge, but in announcing the trade earlier this month, Indians president Chris Antonetti said no determination has been made.

“Rosario has all the skills to be a really good shortstop,” Antonetti said. “He’s been a little bit less consistent with that over the years, but we think he’s got a chance. Both players have a chance to play shortstop.

“Exactly how we configure the team and who plays where will depend on a number of factors, including what the balance of the offseason looks like. Because one of the other motivations behind the trade was to provide us the financial flexibility to look at other opportunities to improve the team.”

Spring training for the Indians starts in about a month in Goodyear, Ariz.

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