Jose Ramirez contract shatters Cleveland Guardians franchise record
Good news and the Cleveland Guardians? It can’t be, but it is. The club reportedly has a franchise record setting extension in place with third baseman Jose Ramirez.
The three-time All-Star reportedly signed a five-year extension worth $124 million. Factoring in the $12 million he’ll make this season and the $14 coming his way in 2023, Ramirez will be a Guardians for the next seven seasons at a cost of $150 million.
The $124 million sum doubles the old franchise record doled out for a contract, when the then-Indians signed Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year, $60 million contract before the 2017 season.
As the highest paid player in club history, Ramirez will earn an annual average salary of $21.4 million.
Trade rumors had been emanating from MLB reporters as the two sides seemed unable to get a contract done. Rumors of extension talks began a little over a week ago and the Guardians were finally able to close the deal.
After watching several key players get traded over the course of the past 2 1/2 seasons, the Cleveland fan base now has someone in place to take the ball club into its new era as the Guardians.
By inking this deal, Ramirez stands to go down as one of the franchise’s all-time great players and he’s someone the fan base can rally around.
Throughout the reporting of a potential extension, it was Tweeted and reported how comfortable Ramirez felt playing in Cleveland.
This is someone who actually wanted to stay in Cleveland and took a discount, twice, to do so.
Yeah, that’s right. The Guards are still getting Ramirez at a discounted clip. He’s constantly among the league leaders in WAR and is a steal compared to the often injured Mike Trout, who will earn a nifty $37.1 million this season.
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The Guards take a TON of heat, but got a deal done, ensuring Ramirez retires a Guardian.