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Indians sign Jose Ramirez to five-year extension

By Sarabeth Pollock

Mar 19, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) jogs to first during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) jogs to first during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indians make another long term commitment to the future with a multiyear contract extension for infielder Jose Ramirez.

Jose Ramirez is going to be with the Tribe for at least five more years with his new contract extension worth $26 million, which is his 2017 salary, with a cap of $50 million for team options to cover two additional years of free agency at $11 million and $13 million . The new deal includes options for the 2022 and 2023 seasons pending a physical. This five-year deal covers all of his arbitration years and one year of free agency.

Ramirez was instrumental in helping the Indians make it to the World Series last season and he continued that success into the World Baseball Classic and spring training, where he has been spending time between second and third base. He was being eyed for third base, but with Jason Kipnis out at second base for the start of the season, Ramirez might start there and move back to third when Kipnis returns.

That kind of versatility is what makes Ramirez such a valuable guy in the lineup. Last season he played third base, appearing at the corner in 117 games, and he also had 48 games in left field along with time spent at second base and shortstop for 152 games. His .312 in those 152 games gave the Tribe a huge boost in their lineup, adding 11 home runs and 76 RBI.

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This five year deal is a big piece of the puzzle for the 2017 Tribe and beyond as they focus on getting back to the World Series. The Indians have been signing their clutch players to long term deals to ensure stability in their roster. Similar long-term deals have been made with Corey Kluber, Jason Kipnis, Carlos Carrasco, Michael Brantley, and Yan Gomes.

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