MLB Insider reveals how the Guardians almost traded Jose Ramirez to the Blue Jays or Padres originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The Cleveland Guardians haven’t spent much over the years, but one constant has been: Jose Ramirez. He was the face of the franchise, a future Hall of Famer, and one of the most popular and loyal players in Major League Baseball (MLB).
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Ramirez recently agreed to a massive $175 million extension over the next seven years. It’s hard to imagine what he would be like anywhere else. However, this scene happened several years ago.
The Guardians are in 2022 trade talks with the Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres involving Ramirez, according to Zach Meisel of The Athletic. While he wasn’t traded, the possibility of a trade is very real.
The Guardian almost traded Jose Ramirez to Padres or Blue Jays
“Had it not been for his insistence on completing the deal within hours of Opening Day in 2022, Ramirez would have ended up with the Toronto Blue Jays or San Diego Padres,” Messer wrote.
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This is a huge mistake for the Guardians. The Padres and Blue Jays are both interested in acquiring Ramirez. Why wouldn’t the team want such a good player?
But amid such trade talks, Ramirez held a conference call with multiple front office executives and his agent to hash out the details of a massive new contract and officially keep the superstar in Cleveland for several years.
more: MLB Hot Stove Tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades heading into 2025 free agency
Ramirez wants to stay in Cleveland his entire career. After his most recent extension, Ramirez will be under club control through the entire 2032 season, and it’s hard to imagine Ramirez not spending his Hall of Fame career in Cleveland.
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But such a future is unlikely to happen. The Blue Jays and Padres were in trade talks for Ramirez, and as Messer noted, the deal might have been done if not for Ramirez’s insistence on reaching an extension before the 2022 season.
