Report: Ramirez to get $30M, 4-year deal

Jose Ramirez was arguably the Indians’ most valuable player last season, and he is about to be rewarded for it.

The Indians and Ramirez are finalizing details on a fouryear, $30 million contract that will keep their clutch-hitting third baseman in a Tribe uniform through 2021, according to a tweet by Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports (@JeffPassan) and confirmed by other reports.

The deal also includes club options for 2022 and 2023.

Second base is Ramirez’s natural position, but he started in left field last year when Michael Brantley began the 2016 season on the disabled list.

There never was a spot for Ramirez at second — at least until now — because Jason Kipnis owns that position. The Indians

cut third baseman Juan Uribe on Aug. 1 and moved Ramirez to third.

Ramirez was named the Bob Feller Man of the Year for the Indians last year after hitting .312 with 46 doubles, 11 home runs and 76 RBI. All were career highs. He also stole 22 bases, another career high and hit .346 (fourth in the American League) with runners on base and .355 (tied for fifth in the AL) with runners in scoring position.

Ramirez started spring training this year at third base, but a shoulder injury is keeping Kipnis out of the lineup until at least midApril. No problem as long as Ramirez is on the roster. The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic has been playing second base in Cactus League games with Kipnis out of action.

Ramirez had a breakthrough season with the Captains in 2012 when he was 19 years old.

Ramirez batted a teamhigh .354 with three home runs, 27 RBI, 54 runs scored and 15 stolen bases in 67 games with the Captains.