Quick Read
- José Ramírez is finalizing a seven-year, $175 million contract extension with the Cleveland Guardians.
- The deal will keep the 33-year-old third baseman in Cleveland through the 2032 season.
- It adds four years and $106 million to his existing contract, with $70 million deferred.
- Ramírez, a seven-time All-Star, has expressed a desire to finish his career with the Guardians.
- The extension includes performance bonuses and no opt-out clauses.
CLEVELAND (Azat TV) – Superstar third baseman José Ramírez is finalizing a massive contract extension with the Cleveland Guardians, a deal expected to secure his tenure with the franchise through the 2032 season and potentially the entirety of his decorated Major League Baseball career. The restructured agreement, reported Saturday, January 24, 2026, commits the Guardians to a seven-year, $175 million package for the 33-year-old, a significant investment that aims to keep one of baseball’s most consistent talents in Cleveland until he is 40 years old.
The Terms of the Landmark Deal
The new agreement adds four years and approximately $106 million to Ramírez’s existing contract, which had three years and roughly $70 million remaining. This brings the total value of his commitment to the Guardians to $175 million over the next seven seasons, according to sources familiar with the negotiations, including reporting by USA Today Sports and The Athletic. A notable feature of the deal is the deferral of $70 million of the total salary, with $10 million deferred each season for a decade.
Under the new terms, Ramírez will earn an average annual value of about $25 million. The deal also includes performance bonuses, such as $500,000 for a first-place finish in MVP voting, $100,000 for an All-Star Game selection, and $50,000 for a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger Award. Crucially, the extension reportedly does not include any opt-out clauses. As a player with more than 10 years of service time, including five or more with his current team, Ramírez already possesses a full no-trade clause, which remains in effect.
A Franchise Cornerstone’s Legacy
José Ramírez, who originally signed with Cleveland as an international free agent in 2009, has become the undisputed face of the Guardians franchise. He ranks second in team history in home runs with 285, behind only Jim Thome, and is third in games played, seventh in hits, second in stolen bases, and third in runs scored. A seven-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Ramírez has consistently finished in the top six of American League MVP voting in seven of the last nine years.
Ramírez, who turned 33 in September, has repeatedly expressed his desire to finish his career with the Guardians, stating his comfort in Cleveland and his goal to win a World Series with the team. This extension solidifies his path towards a potential induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, a destination many believe he is destined for given his sustained elite performance.
Guardians’ Strategic Investment
The Guardians’ move to secure Ramírez for the long term comes amidst a backdrop of criticism regarding the team’s perceived inactivity in the offseason and concerns about their overall offensive firepower. Locking down Ramírez for a second time is widely viewed as a significant victory for the organization, reaffirming their commitment to their best and most consistent player. The team’s decision to utilize deferred payments in such an extensive manner also reflects a growing trend in MLB contracts, potentially offering financial flexibility amidst an uncertain future for baseball, including a potential lockout in 2027, as noted by Sports Illustrated.
Ramírez has been the offensive engine for Cleveland, including leading their historic comeback in the American League Central last season. While the team has faced questions about support players around him, including trade conversations surrounding Gold Glove left fielder Steven Kwan, this extension signals the front office’s belief in Ramírez’s ability to anchor the team and elevate young talent expected to join the roster in the coming seasons, such as Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazanna.
This comprehensive extension ensures that one of baseball’s premier talents will remain a Guardian for the foreseeable future, solidifying his legacy within the franchise and providing a crucial anchor for the team’s competitive aspirations for the next decade.