The Cleveland Guardians made a significant move this offseason when they agreed to a contract extension with Jose Ramirez that should keep the All-Star third baseman with the franchise for the rest of his career. Now, it’s possible that they could make another noteworthy move involving one of their younger players.
However, at this point in his career, it would be more similar to the kind of extension Ramirez signed a few years back. Then, it was to keep him from potentially becoming a free agent.
With Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams in line for a contract extension, analyst Mike Axisa explained why the organization might want to secure the potential ace right now instead of waiting.
“It was Cleveland in the 1990s that popularized signing players long-term before they reach free agency. They signed Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, and others to such deals back then. The practice continues today, and Williams, who last year bounced back from a down and injury-interrupted 2024, looks to be next in line for an extension. He’s four years away from free agency, and that’s the sweet spot for the Guardians. Tanner Bibee, Andres Gimenez, Corey Kluber, Jose Ramirez, Trevor Stephan, Myles Straw, and several others inked long-term contracts with Cleveland when they were four years away from free agency,” Axisa wrote.
Such a strategy is a good way of doing business for a team that looks to save on its payroll whenever possible. Though all of the older players and some of the newer ones mentioned by Axisa eventually left the franchise, the early extensions may have kept them around longer than they would have stayed otherwise.
Williams has certainly earned the right to receive this treatment. Last season, with Shane Bieber recovering from Tommy John surgery and eventually traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, the 26-year-old emerged as Cleveland’s top starter and helped it rally from a historic deficit to win the AL Central.
That included a near no-hitter that would have been Cleveland’s first in more than 40 years. Now, he’s entering spring training as a potential AL Cy Young Award candidate.
It should be noted, however, that Cleveland’s methods may be changing a bit. All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan fits that four-year timeframe and has been seeking a contract extension of his own, but the sides have not yet reached an agreement, which could lead to a trade.
The Guardians may be learning from that experience and wish to avoid that same lingering concern with Williams, so perhaps another big announcement will be made before the 2026 season begins.
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