José Ramírez -- General News

Jose Ramirez is a relief pitcher who has experienced significant career volatility since joining the Yankees organization. Originally signed as a prospect known for his electric fastball, Ramirez posted a 3.19 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 98 2/3 innings in Single-A Tampa before being added to the Yankees' 40-man roster. However, his career has been derailed by recurring injuries and inconsistent performance. In 2017, Ramirez led the National League in holds, but his 2018 season was marked by shoulder impingement that kept him sidelined after mid-April, during which he appeared in only seven games with a devastating 17.05 ERA. Additionally, Ramirez has dealt with chronic back and oblique issues requiring medical evaluation. The pitcher was suspended for three games after throwing a retaliatory pitch at Jose Fernandez following an earlier hit batsman incident. Ramirez's roster status has been precarious, moving between the majors and Triple-A Gwinnett multiple times. Most recently, the Braves purchased his contract from Triple-A after he pitched well at that level, positioning him for a middle relief role, though his spring training performance—including surrendering three home runs in 6 2/3 innings—has raised questions about his roster security despite being out of options.

José Enrique Ramírez, born September 17, 1992 in Bani, Dominican Republic, made his MLB debut on September 1, 2013 at age 20 with the Cleveland Guardians. Listed at 5-8, 190 lbs, Ramírez is a switch-hitter with right-handed throw who can play multiple infield positions. He has exceeded rookie limits and established himself as a franchise cornerstone, earning 6 Silver Slugger awards and 7 All-Star selections throughout his career. In 2025, he posted a .283 batting average with 30 home runs, 85 RBIs, and a .863 OPS across 593 at-bats, contributing 5.8 WAR. Career totals include 1,668 hits, 285 home runs, 949 RBIs, 287 stolen bases, and 57.6 WAR across 5,970 at-bats. Ramírez signed a long-term contract extension through 2032 valued at $128.5 million, keeping him with Cleveland through his age-40 season, with free agency set for 2033. He has accumulated 11.074 years of service time as of January 2026. The profile notes he has achieved 9 seasons with the Guardians posting an OPS over .800, a significant franchise achievement.

José Ramírez agreed to a seven-year extension with the Cleveland Guardians that extends his contract through 2032, when he will be 40 years old. The deal pays $25 million annually, with $10 million per year deferred. The deferrals are structured to pay out $1 million per year for 10 years beginning in 2036, with his final payment coming in 2051. This represents the third extension Ramírez has signed with Cleveland, following deals in 2016 and 2022. Previously, Ramírez was obligated through 2028 for $69 million; this new agreement reworks that compensation while adding four additional years.

The extension includes substantial perks beyond salary, including full no-trade rights, increased bonuses for award finishes and MVP voting performance, an additional hotel room on road trips, and private jet usage for All-Star Games plus one additional trip annually. The deal's structure with significant deferrals may reflect anticipation of potential CBA changes, as some parties have proposed outlawing deferred money in future negotiations. By deferring payments, the $25 million annual value reduces to $20.8 million for competitive balance tax purposes, making the aging third baseman's contract more palatable in 2032 when salary inflation will have continued.

Ramírez has consistently prioritized staying with the Guardians organization, forfeiting tens of millions of dollars in potential free agency earnings across his three extensions. The agreement signals Cleveland's confidence that his decline remains years away and ensures he will finish his career with the franchise.

José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians and Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs were announced as Players of the Week on MLB Network. Ramírez earned AL honors for his dominant performance across seven games, batting .364 (8-for-22) with four home runs, five RBIs, eight walks, nine runs scored, and five stolen bases. He posted a .955 slugging percentage and .533 on-base percentage, leading the majors in OPS (1.488) and on-base percentage while tying for the league lead in runs scored and stolen bases.

This marks Ramírez's ninth career Player of the Week award, extending his franchise record and placing him fifth among active players in total awards. His previous honors came on July 14, 2025; September 30, 2024; May 31, 2022; April 18, 2022; September 20, 2021; July 16, 2018; September 4, 2017; and June 19, 2017. The award represents the Guardians' second of the 2026 season.

Hoerner's award is his first career Player of the Week honor and marks the first Cubs recipient since Seiya Suzuki on September 29, 2025. Chicago has won five total awards since the start of the 2025 season.

Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians is on the verge of becoming the eighth player in MLB history to achieve 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases. Currently sitting at 291 home runs, Ramirez is expected to reach the 300-homer mark before the All-Star break this season. He has already accumulated over 300 stolen bases, making him just nine homers away from this exclusive milestone.

The 300/300 club is exceptionally rare, with only seven players having accomplished this feat: Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Andre Dawson, Bobby Bonds, Reggie Sanders, Steve Finley, Alex Rodriguez, and Carlos Beltran. While hitting 300 home runs alone is a significant achievement, combining that with 300 stolen bases requires an unusual skill set that few players possess throughout their careers.

Ramirez's potential achievement further solidifies his legacy as one of baseball's all-time greats. Looking forward, if Ramirez can reach 340 home runs and 340 stolen bases, he would join only Barry Bonds in reaching those thresholds, a distinction that would place him among the most elite players in baseball history.

Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians achieved a major career milestone on Saturday, stealing his 300th base in a 14-6 victory over the Athletics. The theft was his AL-leading 13th steal of the season and represents an exclusive achievement—he is only the second player in Guardians franchise history to reach 300 stolen bases, following Hall of Famer Kenny Lofton. With 291 career home runs, Ramirez is positioned to join an elite group of just nine players who have achieved 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases in their careers. This exclusive club includes Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Andre Dawson, and Carlos Beltran, as well as Alex Rodriguez and the father-son pair of Bobby and Barry Bonds, along with Steve Finley and Reggie Sanders. In Saturday's game, Ramirez went 1-for-6 with a double, one run scored, and two RBIs. Through 34 games this season, he is hitting .214 with a .336 on-base percentage and .421 slugging percentage, with 6 home runs, 14 RBIs, and 20 runs scored.

Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians became the franchise's all-time leader in games played on Monday night, entering his 1,620th game and surpassing Terry Turner's record that had stood for over 108 years. Ramirez is now the only active player to lead his team in games played. The 32-year-old All-Star third baseman was honored before the sixth inning at Progressive Field, receiving the third-base bag from Sandy Alomar Jr.

Ramirez has emerged as one of Cleveland's most accomplished and consistent performers. He is the only player in the franchise's 125-year history to achieve at least 250 home runs and 250 stolen bases, currently sitting at 286 home runs and 289 stolen bases. His other franchise rankings include first in extra-base hits (729), second in total bases (3,018) and RBIs (954), third in doubles (400), and seventh in hits (1,674).

Since making his MLB debut on September 1, 2013, Ramirez has been part of six AL Central Division championship teams, including the 2016 World Series squad that lost to the Chicago Cubs in seven games. When discussing the milestone, Ramirez emphasized his ultimate goals: "Those mean a lot because those are the two main things that I'm focused on -- work to get to the Hall of Fame and also win a World Series." Among the 31 franchise leaders in games played across MLB, 21 are Hall of Famers, with Pittsburgh's Roberto Clemente and Honus Wagner leading at 2,433 games each.