CLEVELAND — It may be opening day across the MLB, but the Cleveland Guardians wasted no time locking up two of their key players for the foreseeable future.
The Guardians announced on Thursday that they have officially signed All-Star 2B Andrés Giménez to a seven-year deal. Additionally, the team announced that they have signed RHP Trevor Stephan thru 2026, with club options for 2027-28.
27-year-old Stephan became a dominant reliever in 2022 finishing 6-5 with 3 saves and a 2.69 ERA over 66 relief appearances. He finished second for team relievers in relief innings pitched with 63.2 and finished first on the team with 82 relief strikeouts and 20 holds.
During his first two years with Cleveland, Stephan has amassed a 3.54 ERA during 109 relief appearances. In the postseason, he struck out 11 of 19 batters faced over 5 2/3 hitless innings.
According to The Athletic's Zach Meisel, Stephan's deal is worth a guaranteed $10 million over the duration of the contract, including a $1.25 million buyout should the Guards elect not to pick up his 2027 option. The options in both '27 and '28 could give Stephan as much as $16.75 million combined should Cleveland exercise them.
Giménez's $106.5 million deal, which was previously reported by the AP, runs through the 2029 season and includes a $23 million club option for 2030. Per Meisel, it also features a $4 million bonus added on to his previous $1 million salary for 2022.
The 24-year-old Giménez enjoyed a breakout season in 2022. Appearing in 146 games, the former top prospect in the Mets organization hit for a .297 average (.837 OPS), 17 home runs and 69 RBI, while posting a 7.4 WAR (wins above replacement).
For his efforts, Giménez was named to the 2022 MLB All-Star Game and earned a Gold Glove while finishing sixth in voting for the American League MVP award.
With Giménez signed along with All-Star third baseman José Ramírez (seven years, $141 million through 2028), the Guardians are guaranteed to go forward with two of the game's top infielders. The team has also discussed an extension with shortstop Amed Rosario.
3News' Ben Axelrod contributed to this report.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on March 30, 2023.