All-Star third baseman and American League MVP finalist José Ramírez has finalized a seven-year contract worth $175 million to remain with the Cleveland Guardians, according to a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the Associated Press on October 7, 2023. This agreement extends his tenure with the team through the 2028 season and is contingent upon passing a physical examination.
The 33-year-old player from the Dominican Republic has spent his entire 13-year Major League Baseball career with the Guardians. Previously, Ramírez had three years remaining on a contract worth $69 million, signed in 2022. His new deal will average $25 million annually and includes a no-trade clause along with performance bonuses linked to his finish in MVP voting.
Ramírez has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance throughout his career. He has finished in the top five for MVP voting on six occasions, including a third-place finish last year and a fifth-place finish in 2024. During his time with Cleveland, the team has made eight postseason appearances since his debut in 2013. Notably, they reached the 2016 World Series, where they lost in seven games to the Chicago Cubs.
The Guardians have won the American League Central division in the last two seasons, bolstered by Ramírez’s remarkable statistics. Last season, he became the first player in franchise history to achieve at least 250 home runs and 250 stolen bases. He currently stands at 285 home runs and 287 stolen bases. This achievement places him in elite company, as only Robin Yount, Craig Biggio, and Derek Jeter have accomplished this feat with a single team.
In addition to his home run and stolen base milestones, Ramírez’s impressive performance includes a career-high 44 stolen bases last season, making him the fourth player in MLB history to record multiple seasons with at least 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases. He ended the season with a batting average of .283 and achieved a career-long hit streak of 21 games from May 6 to May 28.
Ramírez also holds the franchise record for extra-base hits, with a total of 726, and has notched 27 multi-homer games. He ranks second in both home runs and RBIs, with 949 runs batted in. His continued presence in Cleveland signifies a commitment from both the player and the organization to strive for future success.
This agreement marks a significant moment for the Guardians as they look to build on their recent achievements and keep a cornerstone player at the heart of their roster for years to come.
