Guardians finalizing 7-year extension with Giménez (source)
GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti stated he was assured at the least one contract extension would get finished earlier than the beginning of the season. As it seems, he was proper.
Second baseman Andrés Giménez is near finalizing a contract extension with the Guardians, a supply advised MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Tuesday. The deal, which can start in 2024, is for seven years and price $106.5 million, with a membership choice for an eighth yr. The membership has not confirmed the deal.
The Guardians have blown what was their largest contract in franchise historical past out of the water the final two years. A title that was as soon as held by Edwin Encarnacion’s three-year, $60 million deal was taken by José Ramírez final season, when he agreed to a seven-year, $124 extension. Now, Giménez owns the second-largest contract in membership historical past.
At the tip of the 2020 season, it was clear that Cleveland was on the verge of parting methods with shortstop Francisco Lindor. There was uncertainty about how the group would transfer ahead, not solely by filling his spot on the sphere, however dropping what was the face of its franchise. Lindor was traded in January 2021, and a middle-infield duo of Amed Rosario and Giménez have been the massive items coming again to Cleveland.
It didn’t take lengthy for Giménez to turn into a fan favourite.
He gave everybody a style of what he might deliver to the desk with a red-hot Spring Training. He then break up the ’21 season between Triple-A and the Majors, adjusting to his new atmosphere. But when he got here again in ’22, he was every little thing and extra the Guardians might’ve requested for.
Giménez hit .297 final yr with an .837 OPS, 26 doubles, three triples, 17 homers, 69 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 146 contests. He was as dependable as anybody within the Majors in clutch conditions, hitting .387 with a 1.205 OPS in 73 plate appearances with two outs and runners in scoring place. In tie video games, he hit .339 with a .998 OPS.
He was chosen to his first All-Star Game and acquired a Gold Glove Award for his near-flawless protection at second base. That protection will solely turn into extra vital this season, as second basemen can have extra floor to cowl with shift limitations going into place. He was awarded a sixth-place end within the AL MVP vote final yr, whereas gaining some nationwide consideration.
The Guardians have had talks with shortstop Rosario a few attainable extension this spring, but when that isn’t one thing that involves fruition, the Guardians have actually locked up an elite center infielder who can deal with both second base or shortstop for the foreseeable future.
