The Cleveland Guardians have secured the long-term future of their star third baseman, Jose Ramirez, who recently signed an extension with the team, despite having three years remaining on his current contract. This new deal likely positions Ramirez to spend the remainder of his career in Cleveland, reflecting his strong connection to the city and the franchise.
In a previous interview with MLB insider Mike Rodriguez, Ramirez shared insights into his decision-making process regarding contract extensions. He emphasized that his family’s comfort in Cleveland played a significant role. “I want to be happy, not have a lot of money,” he said. “I feel comfortable in Cleveland. My daughters were born here, and my family is happy. Maybe having $200 million somewhere else sounds better, but it wouldn’t give me this comfort.”
This sentiment underscores Ramirez’s loyalty to the Guardians, particularly since he could command a much larger salary on the open market. Throughout his tenure with the team, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance, establishing himself as one of the premier third basemen in Major League Baseball.
Ramirez’s Impact on the Team and Franchise
Since becoming an everyday player for the Guardians in 2016 at the age of 23, Ramirez has enjoyed a remarkable career. He finished third in the MVP voting and claimed the Silver Slugger award in both 2017 and 2018. Remarkably, he has consistently ranked among the top players, finishing in the top ten for MVP voting for six consecutive seasons from 2020 to 2025, while adding four more Silver Sluggers to his accolades, bringing his total to six.
Despite his personal success, the Guardians have struggled to build a championship-caliber team around him. The franchise made only one World Series appearance during his 13 seasons, losing to the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and has since had a disappointing playoff record of 6-17.
As the Guardians prepare for the 2026 season, they enter with a roster largely unchanged from the previous year. They narrowly clinched the American League Central title over the Detroit Tigers last season, and the outlook for repeating that success appears challenging. The Tigers, along with teams like the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and Minnesota Twins, have not made significant roster improvements.
Ramirez is expected to deliver another MVP-caliber performance in the upcoming season. Nevertheless, the Guardians’ limited offseason activities could necessitate trades as the season progresses, a strategy they are not typically known for. Last season, they primarily acted as sellers at the trade deadline, dealing right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for right-handed pitcher Khal Stephen.
As the new season approaches, the Guardians and their loyal fanbase will hope that Ramirez’s commitment translates into a successful run towards a championship.