José Ramírez Signs Contract Extension with Cleveland Guardians
José Ramírez, the standout third baseman and a contender for the American League MVP, has reportedly finalized a seven-year contract extension worth $175 million with the Cleveland Guardians, as confirmed by a source familiar with the discussions. This information comes from the Associated Press, which notes that the source requested confidentiality pending a physical examination and official announcement regarding the contract.
Career Highlights and Contract Details
At 33 years of age and hailing from the Dominican Republic, Ramírez has devoted his entire 13-year Major League Baseball career to the Guardians. The new agreement extends his contract through the 2028 season. This extension comes after he had already signed a deal in 2022 that included three years and $69 million left on it, allowing him to now average $25 million annually for the next seven years.
Interestingly, the new contract also incorporates a no-trade clause along with performance bonuses linked to his MVP rankings. Ramírez has consistently been a top competitor in the MVP race, finishing in the top five on six occasions, including a third-place finish last season and a fifth-place finish in 2024.
Postseason Performance and Historical Achievements
Since making his MLB debut in 2013, the Guardians have seen postseason action eight times, notably falling short in the World Series against the Chicago Cubs in a dramatic seven-game series in 2016. Cleveland has clinched the AL Central division title for the last two consecutive years.
Last season was particularly historic for Ramírez, as he became the first player in the franchise’s history to achieve over 250 career home runs and 250 stolen bases, a feat only matched by switch-hitter Carlos Beltrán among other players with connections to single teams, like Robin Yount, Craig Biggio, and Derek Jeter. As he approaches 2026, Ramírez holds 285 home runs and 287 stolen bases.
Impressive Career Statistics
Throughout his career, Ramírez has continued to redefine his capabilities on the field, showcasing impressive numbers like a career-high 44 stolen bases last season and achieving the milestone of multiple seasons with at least 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases, a record reached by only three other MLB players in history. His offensive performance has been notable, with a .283 batting average and a standout 21-game hitting streak from May 6 to May 28. Furthermore, he leads the Guardians in extra-base hits with 726 and has recorded 27 multi-homer games, ranking second in both home runs and RBIs with 949 to date.
