Guardians Nearing Extension Agreement with Jose Ramirez
Jose Ramirez is on the verge of signing a new contract extension with the Cleveland Guardians. This agreement is expected to keep the third baseman in Cleveland through his age-39 season in 2032.
Key Details of the New Extension
According to Z101 Digital’s Hector Gomez, the extension is nearly finalized. However, Jon Heyman of the New York Post notes that negotiations are still ongoing between the Guardians and Ramirez’s representatives at Republik Sports.
- Current Contract: Ramirez has three years and $69 million remaining on his previous deal signed in April 2022.
- New Contract Proposal: The proposed extension includes an additional $106 million for the 2029-2032 seasons, with some restructuring of his salary.
- Deferred Money: Out of the total $175 million owed over the next seven seasons, $70 million will be deferred.
Impact on the Guardians
This extension signifies the Guardians’ commitment to keeping Ramirez, securing his legacy as a Cleveland baseball legend. Ramirez joined the organization as an international free agent in 2009 at just 17 years old. Over his career, he has achieved impressive statistics with a batting average of .279 and 285 home runs in 6,759 plate appearances.
His defensive skills at third base, combined with his offensive prowess, have contributed to his career bWAR total of 57.6, ranking him fifth in the history of the Indians/Guardians franchise.
Notable Achievements
- Ramirez turned 33 in September and continues to excel, achieving a .283 batting average with 30 homers last season.
- He also had a career-high 44 steals during the season.
- In the 2023 AL MVP voting, he finished in third place, continuing to add to his accolades.
Financial Considerations
Committing $106 million to Ramirez is significant for the Guardians, a team with a lower payroll. This deal reflects the franchise’s trust in his continued performance despite concerns about age. The new agreement represents the third-highest guarantee in franchise history.
Noteworthy, Ramirez has been a valuable asset for the team, having signed multiple extensions. Initially, he agreed to a five-year, $26 million deal covering 2017-2021, vastly outperforming the contract. His second extension added another five years worth $124 million.
Future Considerations
The timing of the new extension suggests strategic planning. With potential changes in collective bargaining agreements looming, including possible restrictions on deferred money, the Guardians likely sought to finalize this deal now. Many teams, including the Dodgers, have utilized deferred payments in their high-value contracts, a trend Cleveland is now part of with this latest agreement.
