Ramirez And White Sox Finalize Contract
Shortstop Alexei Ramirez and the Chicago White Sox has finalized the terms of a four-year, $32.5-million contract extension.
The White Sox will have a club option for the 2016 season for the Silver Slugger Award-winning shortstop.
Under terms of the deal, Ramirez will receive $5 million in 2012, $7 million in 2013, $9.5 million in 2014 and $10 million in 2015. The club holds a $10-million option for 2016, which includes a $1-million buyout. Ramirez still will earn a base salary of $2.75 million in 2011 as per the terms of the original four-year contract he signed with the White Sox on January 22, 2008.
Ramirez, 29, hit .282 (165-585) with 29 doubles, 18 home runs and 70 RBI in 156 games with the Sox last season to become the first shortstop in White Sox history to win the Silver Slugger Award. He led all AL shortstops in average, slugging percentage (.431), home runs and total bases (252), ranked second in RBI, third in hits and tied for third in doubles.
Ramirez was named the shortstop on The Sporting News AL All-Star Team, joining Luis Aparicio (1968 and '70) and Luke Appling (1936, '40 and '43) as the only three White Sox shortstops to garner the honor.
In three seasons with the Sox, the native of Pinar del Rio, Cuba, has hit .283 (454-1,607) with 54 home runs and 215 RBI.
A Chicago White Sox press release contributed to this article.
