Guardians nearing deal with All-Star 2B Andrés Giménez

CLEVELAND — Andrés Giménez became an All-Star last season. He is about to get paid like one.

The smooth-fielding second baseman has agreed to terms on a long-term contract with the Cleveland Guardians, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Giménez, who batted .297 and won a Gold Glove for the AL Central champions last season, could sign the deal within days, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract won’t be finalized until he passes a physical.

The Guardians also are nearing a deal with reliever Trevor Stephan, the person said.

ESPN reported that Giménez has agreed to a seven-year, $106.5 million package that includes a club option for an eighth year. It’s the largest pre-arbitration deal ever given to a second baseman.

Gimenez signed a one-year deal worth $739,400 earlier this month.

A year ago, Cleveland announced All-Star third baseman José Ramírez’s seven-year, $141 million new contract on the eve of opening day. Now, they’re on the verge of locking up Giménez as they embark on 2023.

The Guardians also gave multiyear deals to closer Emmanuel Clase and center fielder Myles Straw last spring before baseball’s youngest team went 92-70 and won the division going away.

The 24-year-old Giménez has quickly developed into one of the league’s best all-around middle infielders. He hit 17 homers, drove in 69 runs and stole 20 bases last season and was one of four Gold Glove winners for Cleveland.

Giménez came to the Guardians in 2021 as part of the trade that sent shortstop Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets. He arrived along with shortstop Amed Rosario, and the two have allowed the Guardians to remain among the league’s top teams despite parting with another All-Star player.

Cleveland also has discussed extensions with Rosario and outfielder Steven Kwan, who was one of baseball’s top rookies in 2022. Rosario told reporters in Arizona on Sunday that his agent had been in talks with the club.

Stephan was an invaluable piece of Cleveland’s strong bullpen last season. The right-hander went 6-5 with a 2.69 ERA and three saves in 66 games.

The Guardians are leaving their spring training complex Tuesday for Seattle, where they’ll open the season on Thursday night against the Mariners.

Romo retires

Sergio Romo retired as a San Francisco Giant just as he wanted to do.

The entertaining reliever and three-time World Series champion called it a career Monday night when he pitched against another of his former clubs — the Oakland A’s — in the seventh inning of the exhibition finale for both teams at Oracle Park.

The Giants reached out a few weeks back asking whether Romo might consider a last time on the mound. He drew a rousing ovation when he came into the game and again when he walked off.

The 40-year-old Romo gave up two singles and a walk without getting an out. He also was called for two clock violations before his first pitch, but it hardly mattered on an emotional night in the Bay Area.

Corbin believes

No major league pitcher took more losses in 2022 than Patrick Corbin, with 19. And none accumulated more Ls in 2021 than Corbin did, with 16. Last season’s ERA for the Washington Nationals left-hander was 6.31. A year earlier? 5.82.

Hard not to notice those numbers. Hard not to comment on them. Corbin is all too aware.

“Doesn’t really matter what other people are saying,” he said Tuesday in the home clubhouse at Nationals Park before Washington beat the New York Yankees 3-0 in an exhibition finale. “I just kind of believe in myself and what I’ve done.”

That includes, most notably, a starring role as a starter and reliever as the Nationals won the 2019 World Series championship. When the Nationals host the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, there will be only two players on Washington’s 26-man roster who were around for the title four years ago: Corbin and center fielder Victor Robles.

Hiura demoted

The Milwaukee Brewers outrighted infielder Keston Hiura to their Triple-A affiliate in Nashville on Tuesday after he cleared waivers.

The move means the 26-year-old will remain with the Brewers organization after they had designated him for assignment.

Hiura had an outstanding rookie season in 2019 but hasn’t been able to recapture that form. He batted .226 with 14 homers and 32 RBIs in 80 games last season and struck out in 111 of his 266 plate appearances.

Voit gets $2M

First baseman Luke Voit has a $2 million major league salary in his one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, and the former big league home run champion can earn an additional $3 million in performance bonuses.

Voit’s contract includes a $12 million team option for 2024 with no buyout. He can earn $500,000 each for 250, 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500 plate appearances in 2023.