The Cleveland Guardians are making strategic offseason moves, announcing the signing of left-handed pitcher John Means to a one-year contract with a club option for 2026.
This deal embodies the essence of calculated risk-taking, as the Guardians prepare for the upcoming MLB season with significant question marks surrounding their pitching rotation.
With Means still recovering from his second Tommy John surgery and potentially missing the 2024 season, this signing highlights Cleveland’s emphasis on long-term planning and depth-building in a highly competitive landscape.
Cleveland Guardians Take a Low-Risk Gamble on John Means
The Guardians’ front office has shown a knack for identifying undervalued assets, and John Means is their latest project.
The one-year deal guarantees Means $1 million for 2024, with a club option for 2026 that could be worth up to $7.5 million through performance escalators.
For Cleveland, this setup offers minimal financial risk while maintaining the potential for significant returns if Means regains his pre-injury form.
At 31, Means brings both proven experience and question marks. From 2019 to 2022, he was a consistent presence in the Baltimore Orioles‘ rotation, with a 3.72 ERA over 353 1/3 innings.
However, injuries, including two Tommy John surgeries, have sidelined him and caused a decline in his fastball velocity, which has dropped from an average of 93.8 mph in 2020 to 90.5 mph last season.
The Big “If” — Can Means Rediscover His Form?
Whether Means can become a key contributor to the Guardians ultimately depends on his recovery progress.
Having undergone his second Tommy John surgery, Means is likely unavailable until at least August 2024, with a chance he doesn’t pitch at all next season.
Yet, if he can prove he’s healthy, Means could join the Guardians in time to make an impact during the playoff push or solidify his potential role for 2025.
Cleveland is clearly hoping for a second-chance success story.
A Rotation in Flux: Cleveland’s Wager on Depth
This signing comes at a time when the Guardians’ pitching rotation is in a state of uncertainty. After trading away veteran starters Shane Bieber and Aaron Civale during the offseason, Cleveland’s pitching staff is leaning heavily on unproven talent.
Tanner Bibee has emerged as the standout leader within the rotation, but beyond him, the Guardians face plenty of swirling questions.
Recent acquisitions like Jakob Junis and Luis Ortiz provide options, but injuries and inconsistency have plagued Cleveland’s mound.
The Guardians are eyeing pitchers like Means as part of a broader depth-building strategy. This calculated approach reflects their understanding of how crucial strong pitching is when aiming to defend their AL Central title against improving division rivals.
Means as the X-Factor for Late-Season Success
If John Means can return by August, he could be a game-changer for Cleveland’s postseason ambitions.
Teams often face fatigue and injury in the final stretch of the season, and adding a reliable left-handed arm could tip the balance.
Even with diminished velocity, Means’ pitching arsenal and experience could give Cleveland an edge during crunch time.
The Guardians’ Winning Strategy: Thinking Beyond 2024
By securing Means to a low-risk deal, Cleveland has not only positioned itself for potential late-season reinforcements but also for future benefits.
The 2026 club option provides flexibility for the Guardians to evaluate Means’ progress and contributions over the next two years.
If his recovery goes well, Means could join Cleveland’s pitching core as a vital piece in a more stable rotation.
Moreover, this signing aligns with the Guardians’ reputation for optimizing underappreciated talent.
Investments like these don’t always yield immediate dividends but can set the stage for success down the line.
In signing Means, Cleveland is leveraging its forward-thinking approach to increase its overall competitiveness in the long haul.
A Calculated Bet Worth Watching
John Means may not take the field in 2024, but his impact on the Guardians could still resonate for years.
This signing serves as a reminder that success in MLB isn’t always about the here and now. For Cleveland, it’s about building a system that is sustainable and adaptable in the face of challenges—be it injuries, fluctuating player forms, or stiff competition.
As the Guardians prepare for the 2024 season, all eyes will be on whether this low-risk gamble pays off.
While the road to recovery can be long and uncertain for Means, the potential rewards make it a storyline worth following for Cleveland fans and baseball enthusiasts alike.
Here is the source article for this story: Guardians To Sign John Means
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