CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland picked up Jose Ramirez‘s $12 million contract option for 2022 on Friday after the All-Star third baseman had another MVP-caliber season.
Ramirez was one of the only bright spots for the team’s inconsistent offence. The 29-year-old batted .266 with 36 homers, 103 RBIs and 27 steals in the final year of a team-friendly $26 million, four-year deal.
Cleveland, who will be known as the Guardians next season, also declined a $7 million option for catcher Roberto Perez and hired Chris Valaika as their hitting coach.
Valaika was an assistant hitting coach last season with the Chicago Cubs, working with rookies Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel.
It’s possible Cleveland, who will transition to Guardians later this month, will look to sign Ramirez to a long-term extension this winter.
“I would really like to stay,” Ramirez said after Cleveland finished 80-82 for the club’s first losing season since 2012. “But there’s no rush. I would really like to stay here the rest of my career. But we have to wait to see what happens. I would love to see what they have to offer.”
The 32-year-old Perez was slowed again by injuries this year. He batted .149 in 44 games in his eighth season with Cleveland.
Ramirez and Perez were the only position players left from Cleveland’s 2016 pennant-winning team, which lost the World Series in seven games.
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