Andres Jimenez, Cleveland Guardians reach the extension

second baseman Andres Jimenez and the Cleveland Guardians Sources have agreed to a seven-year, $106.5 million contract extension, including a club option for an eighth year, sources tell ESPN, locking up last year’s biggest star until 2031.

Coming in 2022 he made his first All-Star team, won the Gold Glove and finished just behind Aaron Judge And Shuhei Ohtani In the AL with 7.4 wins above replacement, Giménez has agreed to a deal that will start in 2024. It buys out three years of arbitration and at least four years of free agency, with an option that could take the total value of the deal to $128 million.

Acquired as part of the blockbuster deal that sent the All-Star Shortstop Francisco Lindor to New York Mets In January 2021, Giménez won the second base job in Cleveland last year and proceeded to hit . 297/. 371/. 466 with 17 home runs and 20 stolen bases. He patrolled the central area with a stop Amed Rosariowho landed in Lindor’s deal as well, aiding the smooth transition that has allowed Cleveland to remain in the American League Central division, with a first- or second-place finish in each of the past seven seasons.

Cleveland’s history of signing top young talent on long-term stretches dates back to the mid-1990s, when it popularized the practice. Last year’s Guardians extended its third star Jose Ramirez until 2028, also has a closer role Emmanuel Class Signed during the 2028 season. Their pursuit of other deals has been persistent and sincere this spring Trevor Stefan – Another breakthrough in 2022 – He could be the next player to sign, according to sources.

With one of the best farm systems in baseball, Cleveland is poised to stay competitive despite a payroll that is always among the bottom half of the sport — and over the past two seasons, the bottom five. In the years since the 2016 AL pennant, Cleveland has pushed its payroll into the $120 million-plus range but in 2023 it’s set to pay out about $90 million in salary.

Others Cleveland has spoken with about long-term deals include Rosario, a writer Triston McKenzie And a defensive player Stephen KwanThe last two of them were drafted and developed by the team.