Report: Guardians, Ramírez finalizing 4-year, $106M extension
The face of the Cleveland Guardians isn't going anywhere.
Cleveland and superstar third baseman José Ramírez are finalizing a four-year, $106-million extension, a source told Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Once completed, this new agreement will be tacked onto the final three years and $69 million of his current deal, making it a $175-million, seven-year contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The extension contains $70 million in deferred money, Heyman adds.
This agreement all but ensures that Ramírez will finish his career in Cleveland, where he's firmly established as one of the greatest Guardians ever. The 33-year-old ranks top-three in Guardians history in nearly every important offensive category, and is their all-time leader in plate appearances and extra-base hits. Barring injury, he'll surpass Terry Turner for the franchise's games played record - a mark that's stood untouched since 1918 - in early April.
It's also the second time that he's chosen to sign what appears to be a team-friendly contract instead of pursuing millions more in free agency. Ramírez inked his original $141-million extension in April 2022, just before starting what would have been a contract year. The Guardians were close to trading him to either the Toronto Blue Jays or San Diego Padres before that deal got done, according to Meisel.
Originally signed by Cleveland out of the Dominican Republic in 2009, Ramírez reached the majors in 2013 and broke out three years later while leading the team to the 206 AL pennant. The nine-time All-Star is a lifetime .279/.353/.504 hitter with 1,668 hits, 285 homers, 949 RBIs, and 287 steals across 13 seasons. Ramírez is one of only five players with at least three career 30-30 campaigns, while his six Silver Sluggers are tied with Mike Schmidt for second-most at third base, trailing only Wade Boggs.
Ramírez enjoyed another stellar year in 2025, hitting .283/.360/.503 with 30 homers, 85 RBIs, and 44 stolen bases to record his second straight 30-40 season. He finished third in AL MVP voting - the fourth time in his career he's been an MVP finalist - while also winning a Silver Slugger and being named a Gold Glove finalist.
Despite locking up their star, the Guardians are still projected to sport one of MLB's lowest payrolls in 2026. Their current payroll of around $97 million ranks 29th out of 30 teams, per Spotrac.
Despite generally operating as a low-budget club, Cleveland's enjoyed significant on-field success over the last decade, with seven playoff appearances since 2016 and division titles in three of the last four seasons. However, Cleveland was eliminated in the wild-card round by the division-rival Tigers last October despite having home-field advantage, extending the club's championship drought to 78 years.