Jose Ramirez's Impact on Cleveland Guardians in 2023 MVP Race

On April 6, 2022, Jose Ramirez signed a seven-year, $141 million contract extension with the Cleveland Guardians, marking the largest deal in the franchise's history. He expressed his desire to spend his entire career with the team and aims for a Hall of Fame induction as a Guardian. Throughout his career, Ramirez has consistently ranked high in the American League MVP voting, finishing in the top ten multiple times. In 2023, he is having a standout season, leading the Guardians to the American League Central Division championship. Despite his impressive performance, he faces stiff competition from Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who won the MVP award in 2022 and is having an even better year in 2023. The Guardians' reliance on Ramirez is evident, as he is a key contributor to their offense, with fewer supporting players compared to the Yankees. In a recent game against the Astros, Ramirez hit his 39th home run and drove in multiple runs, showcasing his importance to the team. The potential postseason matchup between the Guardians and Yankees could provide both players an opportunity to solidify their MVP candidacy. Additionally, Ramirez has shown durability, having been intentionally walked more often than Judge throughout his career, although this year has seen a decrease in intentional walks due to improved performance from his teammates. This context highlights the significance of Ramirez's contributions to the Guardians and the ongoing MVP race.