Ramirez sticking with Guardians: Paul Dolan steps up, Jose loves Cleveland

CLEVELAND — Both sides wanted to make it work. That's the story of the new seven-year, $150 million contract extension between Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians.It starts with Ramirez. The All-Star third baseman wanted to stay in Cleveland. Players often say that. But Ramirez pushed his agents to find a way to negotiate a contract extension that was fair for both sides.Then there was Guardians owner Paul Dolan, who along with team president Chris Antonetti had said the payroll would rise this season. It didn't look like it, as there were no significant offseason moves.Yes, there was the rather quiet five-year, $20 million extension signed by Emmanuel Clase over the weekend. A very nice deal for the young closer. But it was greeted with mostly yawns by Cleveland fans. WORKING AT ITThe Guardians and Ramirez had been talking for a few weeks. Both sides were testing each other. Was Cleveland serious about a contract extension, or just going through the routine so the team could say it tried to keep Ramirez?The team wanted to know if Ramirez did want to stay here, or was he looking for something like Francisco Lindor's 10-year, $341 million deal? It turns out, Ramirez did want to remain with the team that signed him for $50,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2009.He really did. Dolan appreciated the sincerity of Ramirez. The owner also knew it was time to do something big.Not stupid, but big. BIGGEST DEAL EVERSo the two sides settled on seven years. That includes $12 million (2022) and $14 million (2023) in the original contract. Then $124 million over five more seasons. That carries the 29-year-old Ramirez past his 36th birthday.The agreement also is believed to contain a bonus or a way of moving up some of the new money in the contract to this season. It's a long deal, but nothing like the ridiculous 10-year or more contracts being given out lately. It's the largest contract given to a Cleveland player since Edwin Encarnacion signed a three-year, $60 million contract in 2017.This gives Cleveland baseball fans a reason to smile. Most doubted the team would be able to keep Ramirez. It also contains what is believed to be the first "no-trade" clause in team history. That gives Ramirez some control over his future.The season is opening. Some fans are upset about the name change. Others are unhappy about baseball's labor strife. Then there's the team, which had the second-lowest payroll in MLB last year.Now, there is some good news about the team's best and most popular player.Time to play ball!