The Cleveland Guardians made a savvy move to reinforce their starting rotation on Wednesday, signing veteran left-hander John Means to a one-year contract with a club option for 2026. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Means, 31, is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in June. It marked the second such procedure of his career, after also having the elbow reconstruction in 2022.
Proven Arm When Healthy
When at full strength, Means has proven to be a reliable and effective starter. The southpaw’s best season came in 2021, when he made 26 starts for the Baltimore Orioles and posted a solid 3.62 ERA across 146.2 innings.
However, injuries have limited Means to just 10 total starts over the past three campaigns. He’ll look to regain his form and durability in Cleveland once he completes his rehab from Tommy John surgery.
Low-Risk, High-Upside Signing
For the Guardians, signing Means represents a low-risk, high-upside move to bolster their pitching depth. If he can return to his pre-injury level, the crafty lefty could provide a nice boost to a Cleveland rotation that will be without Triston McKenzie for a large chunk of the season due to a shoulder strain.
Means relies on pitchability and deception to succeed, as his fastball sits around 92 mph. His best pitch is a excellent changeup that keeps hitters off balance.
“We’re excited to add John to our group and look forward to him contributing once he’s back to full health,” said Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti. “His track record speaks for itself, and we think his skillset will fit well with our roster.”
Aiming for Another Playoff Run
Cleveland is coming off a 92-win season in which they captured the AL Central title before falling to the New York Yankees in the Division Series. With a talented young core featuring the likes of Shane Bieber, José Ramírez, and Emmanuel Clase, the Guardians are aiming to make another deep postseason run in 2023.
Means, if healthy, could provide a valuable veteran presence to complement the team’s youthful roster. His success in the rugged AL East should serve him well in a division featuring potent lineups like the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins.
Building Enviable Pitching Depth
With the addition of Means, the Guardians are compiling an enviable stockpile of starting pitching options. Behind Cy Young winner Bieber, Cleveland can slot in promising youngsters like McKenzie, Zach Plesac, and Aaron Civale, with Means offering experienced depth once healthy.
- Rotation insurance in wake of McKenzie injury
- Experienced lefty to balance heavily right-handed staff
- Affordable contract with minimal long-term risk
All things considered, signing John Means looks like a smart, forward-thinking move by the Guardians front office as they try to position the club for sustained success. If the talented lefty can regain his 2021 form post-surgery, this deal could pay major dividends for a Cleveland team on the rise.
