All-star third baseman and American League MVP finalist José Ramírez has secured his future with the Cleveland Guardians by agreeing to a seven-year, $175 million contract. This significant deal, confirmed by a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, is pending a physical examination and has yet to be officially announced.
The 33-year-old Ramírez, a native of the Dominican Republic, has dedicated his entire 13-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career to the Guardians, making his debut in 2013. With this new contract, he is now signed through the 2028 season, averaging $25 million annually over the duration of the agreement. The deal features a no-trade clause and includes performance bonuses linked to his standing in MVP voting, where he has consistently excelled, finishing in the top five six times throughout his career.
In addition to his financial success, Ramírez has made a considerable impact on the Guardians’ postseason history. Since his major league debut, the team has reached the playoffs on eight occasions, including a narrow defeat in the 2016 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. The Guardians have been particularly successful in the past two seasons, winning the AL Central division title.
Achieving remarkable milestones, Ramírez became the first player in the franchise’s history to accumulate at least 250 home runs and 250 stolen bases. As of the end of last season, he boasts a total of 285 home runs and 287 stolen bases. He joins an exclusive group of players, including Robin Yount, Craig Biggio, and Derek Jeter, who have reached the 250-250 milestone while playing for only one team.
Ramírez had a standout season in 2024, recording a career-high 44 stolen bases and becoming just the fourth player in MLB history to achieve multiple seasons with at least 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases. His impressive performance included a batting average of .283 and a career-long 21-game hitting streak from May 6 to May 28.
With a franchise-leading 726 extra-base hits and 27 multi-homer games, Ramírez is also second in both home runs and RBIs, with a total of 949. His contributions have solidified his status as one of the Guardians’ most valuable players, and this new contract ensures that he will continue to play a pivotal role in the team’s future.
