KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Outfielder Myles Straw and the Cleveland Guardians agreed Saturday to a $25 million, five-year contract that includes two option years that could take the deal to $39.5 million over seven seasons.
The agreement was the club’s third long-term commitment this week.
Straw was acquired in a July trade with Houston. He has made a quick impact for Cleveland at the top of the order and in center field. His deal includes club options for 2027 and 2028.
“Ever since the day I got (to Cleveland) last year these guys have been nothing but great to myself and my family, and they really do take care of my family and that 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 didn’t enjoy those things I wouldn’t have done something like this.”
The 27-year-old Straw batted .285 with two homers and 13 steals in his two-month stint with Cleveland last season. But he showed more than enough to make the club believe he is worthy of a long-term investment.
Straw’s deal contains escalators that have the potential to make it worth $43.5 million over seven seasons. It replaces a one-year contract that called for a major league salary of $719,900.
Straw is another core piece for the Guardians, who agreed to a $124 million, five-year deal with All-Star third baseman José Ramírez on the eve of opening day and announced a $20 million, five-year contract with closer Emmanuel Clase on Thursday.
Overall, Straw batted .271 with four homers, 86 runs and 30 stolen bases in 2021. He ranked among the AL’s leaders in walks, hits, runs and doubles over the final two months.
He also has developed into one of the league’s best defensive outfielders, finishing second last season in putouts.
Straw was selected by Houston in the 12th round of the 2015 amateur draft. In five seasons, he has a .266 batting average with 47 steals in 257 games.
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