The Cleveland Indians took Jose Ramirez’s $ 12 million contract extension option to 2022 this Friday after another MVP-caliber season at third base All-Star.
Ramirez was one of the few strong elements in the team’s inconsistent offense. The 29-year-old hit .266 with 36 homers, 103 RBIs and 27 steals on base in the final year of a $ 26 million four-year contract that favored the team.
The Indians, who will be called Guardians next season, rejected the $ 7 million option to extend Puerto Rican receiver Roberto Pérez’s contract and signed Chris Valaika as his hitting coach.
Valaika was an assistant hitting coach last season with the Chicago Cubs, working with rookies Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel.
The Indians, who will officially transition to Guardians this month, may be looking to sign a long-term contract with Ramirez this winter.
“I’d really like to stay,” Ramirez declared after Cleveland finished 80-82 in the team’s first season with a losing record since 2012. “But there’s no rush. I would really like to stay here for the rest of my career. But we must wait to see what happens. I’d love to see what they have to offer. “
Perez, 32, was affected again by injuries this season. The Puerto Rican hit .149 in 44 games in his eighth season with Cleveland.
Ramírez and Pérez were the only remaining position players on the Cleveland team to take the American League pennant in 2016 and then fall in the World Series in seven games.
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