The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Can the Guardians capitalize on Ramirez’s remaining great years?
Two years ago on April 14 — when José Ramírez agreed to a deal to stay with the Guardians through 2028 at age 35 — it was one of the most impactful days in the franchise’s history.
Short of its run to the 2016 World Series and actually winning the last game of the season, maybe the most impactful day since 1948, or Progressive Field opening.
That momentum coming off the lockout carried into the season and the team’s first season as the Guardians with the youngest team in baseball that debuted 17 rookies made a run to win the American League Central division.
Ramírez had a typical Ramírez season in 2022, hitting .280 with 29 homers and 20 steals — his second consecutive 20-20 season and fourth of his career. It was enough for a top-four finish in AL MVP voting.
Unfortunately because development is not linear, the Guardians young roster took a step back in 2024 thanks to injuries and issues with the bullpen.
Ramírez had another great year, adding another top-10 MVP finish to his list of accolades with a .282/.356/.475 hitting line with 24 homers and 28 steals, and 123 wRC+ (weighted runs created plus, where 100 means league average in creating runs).
Despite that, his numbers were slightly down only by his own lofty standards.
That .475 slugging percentage was his lowest since 2016 when he first broke out for the first time at the major-league level, but before his power really surfaced.
His 123 wRC+ was also his lowest since 2019 when it was 108, while he was working through some issues with his swing. One reason could be his normally elite chase rate went from 24.1% in 2021 to 28.7% in 2022 and 28.4% in 2023.
The good news for Ramírez is that his strikeout and walk rates continue to be at consistently great levels due to his ability to make contact even when he does chase pitches out of the zone.
Ramírez has never needed to rely on top-end exit velocities, maximizing his ability to tap into his pull side power every year.
All the projections seem to support the common sense that Ramírez will continue to be a lock for another 20-20 season and
even still push for another 30-30 season.
Ramírez’s entire career has been about defying the odds, so betting against him has never been a good idea.
But in sports and in life, father time is undefeated and at some point will win its battle against Ramírez. That day likely won’t come in 2024.
The question is, how much longer can Ramírez continue to defy the odds and can the Guardians take advantage of his desire to
take an under-market deal and top-10 MVP level production with more division titles and playoff runs?
The rotation has the potential to be one of the best in baseball, depending on the health of Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie, and the continued development of the triumvirate of sophomore starters — Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams and Logan Allen. If they can settle a few roles and overcome the season loss of Trevor Stephan, the bullpen could also be much steadier than 2023.
In order to capitalize on the remaining years of Ramírez’s greatness and contract, the Guardians will need players like Bo Naylor to solidify his place in the lineup, Andrés Giménez to come closer to his 2022 totals, someone to emerge in center and right field, whether that’s Tyler Freeman, Estevan Florial, Will Brennan, or even Chase DeLauter sooner than later. Can Kyle Manzardo be part of the solution to add some missing power to the lineup?
Or do they need to start considering external offensive additions?
With Shohei Ohtani relocating to the National League, the race for AL MVP is wide open for Ramírez to finally add one to his mantle of other awards.
Can the Guardians finally establish the right pieces around him to capitalize on it while he continues to collect top-10 MVP finishes and add a World Series trophy to his mantle?