MLB Insider reveals how Guardians nearly traded Jose Ramirez to Blue Jays or Padres

There hasn't been a lot of spending for the Cleveland Guardians over the years, but there has been one constant: Jose Ramirez. He's the face of the franchise, a future Hall of Famer, and one of the most beloved and loyal players in all of MLB.

Ramirez recently agreed to a huge $175 million extension through the next seven years. It's hard to imagine him anywhere else. But, such a sight was close to happening a few years ago.

According to Zach Meisel of The Athletic, the Guardians in 2022 were in trade talks with the Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres involving Ramirez. While he wasn't dealt, the possibility of a trade was very real.

Guardians nearly dealt Jose Ramirez to Padres or Blue Jays

"If not for his insistence on consummating a deal in the hours before Opening Day in 2022, Ramirez would have been a Toronto Blue Jays or a San Diego Padre," Meisel writes.

This would've been a massive mistake from the Guardians. The Padres and Blue Jays were both interested in acquiring Ramirez. Why wouldn't a team want such a great player?

But, amid such trade talks, Ramirez and multiple front-office execs and his agent got on a conference call, hashed out the details on a huge new contract, and officially kept the superstar in Cleveland for years to come.

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Ramirez wants to stay in Cleveland for his entire career. After this latest extension, which has him under club control through the 2032 season, it's hard to see Ramirez not finishing his Hall of Fame career with every year spent in Cleveland.

But, such a future was close to not happening. The Blue Jays and Padres were in trade talks for Ramirez, and as Meisel notes, the deal might've gone through had it not been for Ramirez's insistence to work out an extension before the 2022 season.

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