Guardians get trade vindication thanks to José Ramírez's Silver Slugger win

Another year, another Silver Slugger win for José Ramírez. On Friday, the winners of the 2025 American League Silver Slugger awards were announced, presented by Louisville Slugger and FanSided. Ramírez, the Guardians' bedrock, claimed his sixth win at third base. He’s now just two wins away from tying Wade Boggs for the most by an American League third baseman. 

The win likely also meant a little extra for Ramírez and the Guardians, considering he beat out former Guardians prospect Junior Caminero for the award.

While Caminero finished 2025 with 45 home runs and 110 RBI, Ramírez’s better all-around season ended up bringing home the hardware. 

José Ramírez nets Silver Slugger win over former Guardians farmhand Junior Caminero

In total, Ramírez slashed .283/.360/.503 with 30 home runs and 85 RBI across 158 games. He also recorded 34 doubles, three triples, 44 steals and 66 walks compared to just 74 strikeouts. 

In other words, it was a classic José Ramírez season. It was arguably even more impressive given the lack of production around him (the Guardians haven’t had multiple players win Silver Sluggers in a season since Ramírez and Francisco Lindor both won in 2018). 

Not only was Ramírez one of two Guardians to finish the year with an OPS+ above 100 (alongside Kyle Manzardo), but Cleveland finished the year with a .225 team batting average, which was the second-lowest mark in all of baseball. He’s now won six of the past nine American League Silver Slugger awards at third base. 

He had his work cut out for him this year against Caminero and Alex Bregman. Bregman seemed destined to finish in third, since he only played in 114 games last year (though it was a good enough season for him to opt out of his contract).

Caminero was tough competition, thanks to his aforementioned power and slugging. And what power it is. The Rays acquired him as a minor leaguer from the Guardians in exchange for pitcher Tobias Myers. He spent last season as the sport’s No. 1 prospect before officially breaking out this season. 

His 45 home runs were third in the American League behind Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge, and his 110 RBI were fifth. 

But there were also some warts, as he struck out 125 times and grounded in an MLB-leading 31 double plays. He also “only” had 28 doubles and seven steals. It’s not the kind of all-around production that Ramírez is known for. 

Now the Guardians’ front office will be tasked with building a winning lineup around their Silver Slugger, especially since their lack of action is beginning to reach a breaking point with the fanbase. 

He’s one of the best hitters in team history and has shown no signs of slowing down despite turning 33 in September. The Guardians are always going to be a contender if they have Ramírez and manager Stephen Vogt in the fold, but it shouldn’t stop there. 

There’s only so much Ramírez can do himself; it’s time for them to add another bopper around him so they can tighten their stranglehold on the American League Central.