Just two days before the start of the 2023 season, one of 2022’s breakout stars is getting rewarded.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reported on Tuesday that the Cleveland Guardians and Andrés Giménez agreed to a contract extension.
He later noted that it’s a seven-year, $106.5 million deal beginning in 2024. It will run through 2030 and carries a club option for 2024.
Second baseman Andrés Giménez and the Cleveland Guardians are finalizing a long-term contract extension, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Giménez, 24, was a first-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner last year and put up 7.4 Wins Above Replacement — a star-level season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 28, 2023
Andrés Giménez’s contract extension with the Guardians will be for seven years and $106.5 million and includes a club option for the 2031 season, sources tell ESPN. The deal starts next year and covers Giménez’s three arbitration years and potentially five free agent seasons.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 28, 2023
The news was generally met with excitement within the baseball world.
This is awesome! https://t.co/wHde8DZj7d
— Emmett Golden (@egoldie80) March 28, 2023
Well deserved!!!! https://t.co/DLk8xXdnD9
— Brady Hamilton (@Brady_216) March 28, 2023
Love this. https://t.co/9NUKi3QHKn
— Danny Cunningham (@RealDCunningham) March 28, 2023
Andrés Giménez recorded a 7.4 bWAR in his age 23 season in 2022.
Only one position player 23 or younger posted a higher bWAR in Cleveland’s history:
Shoeless Joe Jackson: 9.2 (1911) https://t.co/Cyr3uU5uLM
— Mathew Brownstein (@MBrownstein89) March 28, 2023
HUGE Guardians news… https://t.co/NLMJOqWOzs
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) March 28, 2023
You love to see it. https://t.co/q3LGfp1zof
— Matt Williams (@MattWi77iams) March 28, 2023
Cleveland acquired Giménez following the 2020 season as part of the deal that sent Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets. After a relatively quiet 2021 season, Giménez became a full-time starter for Cleveland in 2022 and made the most of his opportunity. He hit .297/.371/.466 with 17 home runs, made the American League All-Star team and won a Gold Glove at second base. Giménez’s production also helped Cleveland go 92-70 and win the American League Central title.
Given his production and that he’s only 24, it’s easy to see why the Guardians were quick to lock Giménez up.
