All-Star third baseman José Ramírez and the Cleveland Guardians reached agreement on a five-year, $124 million contract extension on the eve of opening day, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Ramírez's deal runs through the 2028 season, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because numerous details need to be finalized. The Guardians open the 2022 season in Kansas City Thursday.
According to a report from ESPN, Ramirez agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Guardians worth $124 million. With the pickup of a 2023 option, the Guardians guaranteed a salary of $150 million through the end of the contract, ESPN reported.
ESPN reported that had the club been unable to reach a deal with Ramirez, he would have been traded.
BREAKING: Star third baseman José Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a five-year, $124M contract extension, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Deal includes full no-trade clause. With this year and pickup of a 2023 option, Ramirez is guaranteed $150M.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 6, 2022
Ramirez has been with the Guardians since 2013 becoming the face of the franchise. He helped the then-named Cleveland Indians advance to the World Series in 2016 with a .312 batting average.
While he only hit 11 home runs in 2016, he has since increased his power, hitting 29 homers in 2017 and a career-best 39 in 2018.