Kansas City, Md. – Outfielders Miles Straw and Cleveland Guardians agreed on Saturday to a $ 25-million, five-year deal that includes two alternate years that could take the deal to $ 39.5 million over seven seasons.
The deal was the club’s third long-term commitment this week.
Straw was acquired in the July trade with Houston. He has made a quick impact for Cleveland at the top of the order and at center. His contract includes club options for 2027 and 2028.
“These guys have been nothing but great to me and my family since the day I got them (in Cleveland) last year, and they really care about my family and it means a lot to me,” Straw said. “I love the city. This team has been amazing, from the front office, the staff, the teammates, the fans; all of the above. It’s been great. If I hadn’t enjoyed these things I wouldn’t have done anything like that.”
Straw, 27, batted .285 with two homers and 13 steals in his two-month stint with Cleveland last season. But he has shown more than enough to convince the club that he deserves a long-term investment.
Straw’s deal includes an escalator that has the potential to raise $ 43.5 million over seven seasons. It replaces a one-year contract that calls for a major league salary of $ 719,900.
Straw is another key part of the Guardian, who signed a $ 124-million, five-year deal with All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez just before opening day and announced a $ 20-million, five-year deal with nearby Emmanuel Claes on Thursday.
Overall, Straw batted .271 in 2021 with four homers, 86 runs and 30 stealing bases. He has been among the Awami League leaders in walk, hits, runs and doubles in the last two months.
He also became one of the league’s best defensive outfielders, finishing second in the putout last season.
Straw was selected by Houston in the 12th round of the 2015 Amateur Draft. In five seasons, he has averaged 266 runs in 257 games, including 47 steals.