During a recent interview with MLB insider Hector Gomez, the Dominican spoke about how he feels in Cleveland and made it clear that he would choose to stay there as long as he continues playing professional baseball.

“I’m very grateful with the Cleveland Guardians and its fans, who have always supported me throughout my career. I feel I should stay here for the rest of my career because of the incredible treatment I have always received from the fans; I can’t thank them enough for how loving they have been to me.”

The Guardians managed to reach the first round of the playoffs in 2025, but unfortunately fell 6–3 to the Detroit Tigers. Looking ahead, they trust that Ramirez and his teammates can make a big impact in 2026.

Ramirez’s vision regarding his contract extension with the Guardians

His strong performances led Ramirez to sign a contract extension back in 2022. It was a seven-year, $141 million deal, which Ramirez acknowledged was below market value, though he said he understands the limitations of a small-market team.

“That was ultimately my decision…I got a significant salary bump,” he said, via translation from Master Flip on X. “I knew it wasn’t fully reflective of my market value…But I’m a veteran, I understand how the game works.

“Cleveland is a small-market team, and they simply can’t pay me what I could command on the open market. So I told them, Let’s find a fair agreement that works for both sides.”

Jose Ramirez’s 2025 stats

Jose Ramirez continued to be the cornerstone of the Cleveland Guardians’ offense in 2025, posting a stellar .283 batting average alongside 30 home runs. His elite production resulted in 85 RBIs and a robust .863 OPS, marks that once again solidified his status as one of the premier third basemen in the American League.

Needless to say, these teams have been able to thrive thanks to the contributions of some of the best players on Earth. But even among them, some seem to stand out from the rest of the pack.

That’s why today, we’re going to honor them by letting you know about the only three players who could take home the American League MVP award this season. Honestly, you couldn’t go wrong either way,

MLB News: Leading Candidates For American League MVP

3. Jose Ramirez

The Cleveland Guardians were expected to be bottom-feeders this season, yet they have a chance to win their division. And a lot of that has to do with Jose Ramirez’s stellar play throughout the campaign.

One of the most versatile infielders in the game, Ramirez has been lights out at the plate this season. He’s slashed .280/.350/.535 with 26 homers, 106 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, and a league-leading 39 doubles.

2. Shohei Ohtani

Even though the Los Angeles Angels may never be a good team, they’re still must-watch television for as long as Shohei Ohtani is on the roster. He’s the most spectacular player in the game, and it’s not even close.

Ohtani continues to be a two-way phenom. He’s slashing .266/.358/.522 with 30 homers, 82 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases while also going 11-8 with a 2.58 ERA, 1.044 WHIP, and 181 strikeouts in 23 starts on the mound.

1. Aaron Judge

The New York Yankees may not be red-hot as they were at the start of the season, but Aaron Judge hasn’t missed a beat. He’s looking at a $300+ million contract in the offseason after betting on himself and turning down a big offer last winter.

Judge is nearly a lock to win AL MVP regardless of the Yankees’ major slump. He’s having the best season of his career with a slash line of .299/.401/.674, an MLB-best 53 homers, 115 RBIs, 15 stolen bases, and is also leading the league in runs (107) and walks (79). All rise!