It has been reported that Jose Ramirez agreed to a five-year, $124 million contract extension with the Cleveland Guardians. Ramirez reportedly agreed to the deal on Wednesday, only one day before the season opener in Kansas City.
The agreement was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who wrote on Twitter:
“BREAKING: Star third baseman José Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a five-year, $124M contract extension, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Deal includes full no-trade clause. With this year and pickup of a 2023 option, Ramirez is guaranteed $150M.”
It is understood that Ramirez still has two years left in his current contract. The third baseman is expected to bag $12 million this year and make $13 million on his club option next year. Therefore, combined with the contract extension that sees him staying in Cleveland until 2028, he has nearly $150 million guaranteed.
The contract is, by far, the largest the Guardians have ever offered, breaking the previous record, held by Edwin Encarnacion, who was given out a three-year, $60 million contract back in 2017. Encarnacion, however, played for the Guardians only for two seasons as he was later traded to the Seattle Mariners.
About Ramirez
The 29-year-old Ramirez was hired by Cleveland in 2009 as an amateur free agent. The player debuted for the Guardians in 2013 and had a rather slow start. It is when he began playing his first full season in the majors in 2016 that he began to shine, making it to the All-Star three times. The player has won three Silver sluggers and claimed the third spot in the American League MVP voting in 017, 2018, and 2020.
Ramirez was an important figure in helping Cleveland enter the World Series in 2016. They were, however, kicked out of the tournament by the Chicago Cubs. The third baseman is currently the only member of the 2016 squad left in the Guardians.
Ramirez’s extension came amid the Guardians’ preparation to welcome young talents, including outfielder George Valera and infielders Brayan Rocchio, Tyler Freeman, Gabriel Arias, and Nolan Jones, whom all are expected to enter the big leagues by 2023.
Meanwhile, already giving the Guardians strong rotational options are young pitchers Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale, Triston McKenzie, Zach Plesac, and Cal Quantrill. Additionally, Daniel Espino will also enter the majors soon.
With the contract extension, Ramirez, who was a rookie with the Cleveland Indians in 2013, has made it clear that he wants to retire in Cleveland, finishing his career with the Guardians as he will be 36 years old when the extension expires.
Ramirez, a favorite of team manager Terry Francona, is close to reaching 1,000 career hits. He entered the 2022 season with 987. He has a batting average of .279 along with 163 home runs, 540 RBI, 607 runs scored, and 245 doubles as well as 154 stolen bases. He finished the 2021 season with 111 runs, 36 home runs, 103 RBI, 27 stolen bases and a .893 OPS.
