Ex-Mets infielder, traded for Francisco Lindor, strikes it rich

Andrés Giménez and the Cleveland Guardians have come to an agreement on a long-term extension.

Andrés Giménez will be sticking around in Cleveland for a while.

The breakout infield star has come to an agreement with the Guardians on a seven-year, $106.5 million contract extension that includes an eighth-year club option, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN.

This, after he couldn’t even stay in the majors: Gimenez was Cleveland’s opening day shortstop in 2021. He was sent down in May and spent nearly two months at Class AAA Columbus before returning to the big leagues.

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In 2022, Giménez was an All-Star selection and a Gold Glove Award winner. The 24-year-old also finished third in the American League for wins above replacement (7.4) behind just Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.

Asked via Cleveland.com if he could have imagined agreeing to this kind of deal a year ago, Gimenez said through interpreter Agustin Rivero: “In reality, no. When you think about how difficult baseball is and the up and downs you go through.”

Giménez signed with the New York Mets as an international free agent in 2015 and made his major league debut in 2020. That year, he slashed .263/.333/.398 after beginning MLB play in July.

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The Mets sent him to Cleveland in 2021 as part of the trade that brought Francisco Lindor to New York. Giménez had the starting job at second base in 2022 and hit .297/.371/.466 with a .837 OPS, racking up 17 homers and 20 stolen bases.

According to Cleveland.com: The Guardians are expected to sign one or two more players to extensions before opening day. They are reportedly in negotiations with left fielder Steven Kwan, right-hander Trevor Stephan and right-hander Triston McKenzie. Earlier in the week, shortstop Amed Rosario said the Guardians had reached out about signing him past this season.

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Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.

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