Cleveland Guardians star Jose Ramirez has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2032 season, pending a physical.
Ramirez Secures Future in Cleveland with New Extension
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The seven-time All-Star’s deal includes a significant amount of deferred money, offering the Guardians flexibility while solidifying Ramirez’s legacy.
- The extension adds $106 million in new money to Ramirez’s existing contract.
- $70 million of the extension will be deferred, easing the immediate financial impact on the Guardians.
- Ramirez has been with the Guardians organization since 2009, becoming a cornerstone of the franchise.
Jose Ramirez, 33, isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, and now he’ll remain a fixture in Cleveland for years to come. The new deal restructures the remaining three years and $69 million on his previous contract and adds $106 million for the 2029-2032 seasons.
A key component of the extension is $70 million in deferred money. Ramirez will earn $25 million annually from 2026 through 2032, but $10 million will be deferred each year. This reduces the upfront financial commitment for the Guardians, providing them with added payroll flexibility for potential roster additions.
Ramirez joined the organization as an international free agent in 2009 at age 17 and has since become a franchise icon. Over 6,759 plate appearances, he’s batted .279/.353/.504 with 285 home runs and 287 stolen bases (in 349 attempts). His combined offensive prowess and defensive skill at third base have resulted in a career bWAR of 57.6 – the fifth-highest total in Indians/Guardians history.
A History of Extensions
This marks the third extension Ramirez has signed with Cleveland. His first multi-year deal was a five-year, $26 million contract covering the 2017-2021 seasons, which included club options. After the team exercised their 2022 option, a second extension added five years and $124 million in April 2022.
Prior to the 2022 extension, the Guardians reportedly explored trade scenarios involving Ramirez, a common practice for the organization when star players approach free agency. While not all trades have panned out, the team has often successfully replenished its farm system with younger talent.
Ramirez, however, is the exception. The seven-time All-Star has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain in Cleveland, even forgoing potential earnings to stay with the Guardians. This commitment is underscored by the new deal, which could be seen as both a reward for his service and a belief in his continued performance.
Strategic Timing
The timing of the extension is noteworthy, as there wasn’t an immediate need to add years to a contract already running through 2028. However, the Guardians may have wanted to finalize the deal before the next collective bargaining agreement, amid speculation that the league might consider restrictions on deferred money in contracts. While the Dodgers have frequently utilized deferrals in recent years, Cleveland’s agreement with Ramirez demonstrates that both large- and small-market teams employ this strategy.
The new contract also includes increased incentive bonuses, such as a $500,000 bonus for winning an MVP award. Ramirez finished third in AL MVP voting last year, after finishing second in 2020 and earning three other top-six placements.
The $106 million in new money represents the third-largest guarantee in Cleveland history, trailing only Ramirez’s previous extension and the seven-year, $106.5 million extension given to Andres Gimenez in 2023.
