Just days before Opening Day, the defending AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians have locked up infielder Andres Gimenez to a long-term deal. Cleveland has reportedly given the 24-year-old a seven-year, $106.5M extension to keep Gimenez in town until his early-30s. Locking up talent prior to hitting free agency has become a trend in recent years. But, this deal and last year’s extension of Jose Ramirez prove that the Guardians are doing it in a way that’s beating the trends of the league.

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A Look at Gimenez

After a rough first season in Cleveland, second baseman Andres Gimenez broke out in what was an impressive 2022 campaign for the young infielder. Gimenez hit .297/.371/.466 with 17 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 66 runs scored. The 24-year-old stole 20 bags for the Guardians, and played terrific defense for a fundamentally sound team. Gimenez’s +12 Outs Above Average ranked as the third-best in that category among second basemen, behind only Jonathan Schoop and Tommy Edman.

Gimenez was one of just two players in all of baseball last year to hit at least 15 home runs, drive in at least 65, hit for a .290 average or better, and swipe at least 20 bags. The only other player to do that in 2022? New Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, who just signed an 11-year, $300 million deal this past winter.

Cleveland not only locked up arguably the best defensive second baseman in the game, but an infielder who’s shown impressive bat-to-ball skills, plus speed, and good pop for a middle infielder.

Gimenez’s seven-year deal will keep him around for seven years and buy out all three of his arbitration-eligible years, plus three more seasons. Cleveland will retain a club option for the 2030 campaign. The deal to lock up Gimenez may not be the only one, as there have been reports that indicate that Cleveland may look to ink another one of its players to an extension. Shortstop Amed Rosario, who will be an free agent after 2023, is a possibility. So is Steven Kwan, who did express that he would be interested in signing a deal with the Guardians.

A Look at the Guardians

It’s rather impressive what the Guardians have been able to do over the past 12 months. Last year, Cleveland locked third baseman Jose Ramirez — once a target of trade rumors — to a seven-year, $141 million contract that looks like a bargain in just a short amount of time. Not only did Ramirez post an outstanding season last year, but his contract came in at a significantly AAV than Rafael Devers (10-year, $313.5M) and Manny Machado (11-year, $350M), both whom re-signed with their respective ball clubs just one year before free agency in 2023.

Now, Cleveland will still need to figure out how to handle the impending free agency of Shane Bieber. The ace of the Guardians rotation has been incredible since bursting on to the scene since 2018. From 2018-2023, just eight pitchers have more strikeouts than Bieber (831). And, he’s just one of seven pitchers — the other six are Gerrit Cole, Zack Wheeler, Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander, and Trevor Bauer — to strike out at least 700 batters and post a sub-3.20 ERA (min. 500 IP) in that time span.

Bieber is two years away from free agency, in what’s set to be a loaded pitching class that may also include Corbin Burnes and Max Fried. Can the Guardians figure out a way to lock up Bieber and his plus slider before the end of the 2024 season? If so, Cleveland may be giving the Braves — who’ve done an exceptional job of locking up young talent for the long haul — a run for being the best-run organization.