The Cleveland Guardians have once again dipped into the free agent market to reinforce their pitching staff, this time securing left-handed starter John Means. The Guardians and Means have agreed to a one-year contract that includes a club option for the 2026 season, according to team sources. This move, pending a physical examination, adds another layer of intrigue to the Guardians’ pitching strategy as Means is expected to join the team in camp this Tuesday.
Diving into John Means’ Performance and Stats
John Means’ career has been marked by flashes of brilliance interspersed with unfortunate injury setbacks. Having undergone multiple Tommy John surgeries, Means has only made 10 starts in the past three seasons. However, when healthy and on the mound, his performance metrics speak volumes about his potential impact for the Guardians.
Image: John Means in action on the pitcher’s mound, showcasing his pitching form and intensity during a past game.
His 2019 season stands out as a testament to his capabilities. That year, Means earned an All-Star selection while pitching to a 12-11 record with a solid 3.60 ERA. He also recorded 121 strikeouts across 155 innings, demonstrating his ability to miss bats and maintain a high workload. His impressive rookie campaign also saw him finish second in the Rookie of the Year voting, highlighting his early impact in the league.
Following up on his breakout year, Means delivered a consistent performance in the shortened 2020 season before further solidifying his reputation in 2021. In 2021, he maintained a 3.62 ERA over 146⅔ innings. Notably, this season included a no-hitter that was just inches away from being a perfect game, underscoring his potential for dominance on any given day.
However, the subsequent years have been challenging for Means. Since 2021, he has been limited to only 10 starts due to recurring elbow issues and surgeries. Despite these limited appearances, his effectiveness remained evident, as he posted a 2.75 ERA in those games. This statistic underscores a crucial point: when John Means is healthy, his stats reveal a pitcher capable of high-level performance.
Guardians’ Pitching Strategy and the John Means Addition
The Guardians have shown a pattern of taking calculated risks on pitchers with high upside who are returning from injury. The successful signing of Matt Boyd last year, who contributed after recovering from Tommy John surgery, serves as a recent example. Similarly, the Guardians have re-signed Shane Bieber, who is also currently undergoing Tommy John rehab.
Image: A wide shot of Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians, with the team logo prominently displayed, symbolizing the team’s identity and baseball presence.
John Means, recovering from his second Tommy John surgery performed in June 2024, represents another such strategic move. It’s acknowledged that Means’ recovery timeline might extend into or even through the 2025 season. Therefore, this signing appears to be more strategically aimed at the 2026 season and beyond. The Guardians are known for their ability to maximize the potential of their pitching staff, and their prior success with pitchers like Boyd makes Cleveland an attractive destination for pitchers looking to revitalize their careers post-injury.
By adding Means, the Guardians gain the opportunity to closely monitor his recovery and assess his condition as they look towards 2026. This approach allows them to evaluate if Means can become a valuable asset to their starting rotation in the future. The acquisition of John Means is a forward-thinking move by the Guardians, banking on his proven abilities when healthy and their organizational strength in developing pitching talent.
In conclusion, the Guardians’ signing of John Means is a strategic, low-risk, high-reward move focused on bolstering their pitching depth for the future. While his immediate impact for the 2025 season remains uncertain, Means’ past stats and the Guardians’ track record with pitchers suggest this could be a shrewd acquisition with significant potential payoffs down the road, particularly as they look to 2026 and beyond.
