Yesterday, Guardians’ fans got another special treat from the reliable source of happiness on their favorite baseball team – Jose Ramirez – as he agreed to an extension to keep him with the Guardians through 2032, his age 40 season.
I found it helpful to listen to Zack Meisel explain the deal, on the Selby is Godcast with T.J. Zuppe, which pays Jose $15M per year, then defers an extra $10M to be paid out over 10 years 10 years from now, then the same thing for 2027-2032. It was encouraging to hear
that David Blitzer was heavily involved in negotations as he will, assumedly, be the one paying Jose through 2052. I think it’s also important to note that Jose will very likely be a goodwill ambassador – if not MORE – for the Guardians as long as he lives. Or, as long as the planet/society exists, whichever end comes first. Long live, Jose!
MLB Trade Rumors, as usual, does a good job summarizing the news here. Jose has bonuses built in for MVP’s and MVP voting finishes, Gold Gloves, All-Star Games and LCS or World Series MVP’s. May he collect them all. He also gets a private jet ride per year, and to and from the All-Star game if he makes it, and an extra private hotel room on road trips. Hopefully, he also gets an upgraded Mario Kart set-up in the dugout.
Of course, the responses have ranged from unbridled joy, to performative virtue-signaling that “this doesn’t change the fact that ownership needs to invest in the team” (yes, Captain Obvious. Now, be happy for three seconds), to deranged resentment that Jose will be paid a ridiculously reasonable $15M per year to finish his Hall of Fame Career entirely as a Cleveland Guardian because Miguel Cabrera was paid twice as much and hampered a Tigers’ team whose fans still absolutely loved seeing him play out the last part of his Hall of Fame career in Detroit. Choose unbridled joy, folks.
It’s quite cold outside and snowy, but we only have 18 days until pitchers and catchers report and 27 days until the first Spring Training game. Keep your head up! Jose Ramirez loves you!
