Mon Feb 17 18:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Guardians Ink Lefty John Means to Low-Risk, High-Reward Deal

**CLEVELAND, OH – February 17, 2025** – The Cleveland Guardians have signed veteran left-handed pitcher John Means to a one-year contract with a club option for 2026, the team announced today. The deal, pending a physical, offers Means a guaranteed $1 million this season, with the 2026 option potentially reaching $7.5 million based on performance escalators.

Means, 31, is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery and is not expected to return to the major leagues until August. This signing represents a low-risk, high-reward gamble for the Guardians, who are addressing their pitching rotation’s uncertainty.

Means was once a key member of the Baltimore Orioles rotation, posting a 3.72 ERA from 2019-2022. However, recurring elbow injuries have severely limited his playing time in recent years. He pitched only 52 ⅓ innings over the past three seasons combined.

The Guardians’ rotation currently features ace Tanner Bibee, but question marks surround several other key members. Gavin Williams and Logan Allen, both highly-touted prospects, underperformed in 2024, while Triston McKenzie and Shane Bieber are recovering from Tommy John surgeries. The acquisition of Means, therefore, provides much-needed depth.

If Means can regain his previous form, the Guardians will have acquired a valuable pitcher at a minimal cost. If not, the team’s financial risk remains low. The team’s history of successfully rehabilitating injured pitchers makes this a calculated move. Means is expected to report to spring training tomorrow.

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