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4 hours ago
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The Cleveland Guardians have until five days after the conclusion of the World Series to make a $6 million decision.
The choice: To keep John Means or not.
Now some Guardians fans are probably asking, "Who is John Means?"
Fair enough.
Means hasn't actually pitched in a game for the Guardians, but he's been under contract for all of 2025.
The Guards signed Means knowing his injury rehab would keep him out this season. They paid him $1 million for 2025.
His 2026 contract setup is $6 million club option. By five days after the World Series, the Guardians have to decide whether to pick it up or not.
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Means was healthy and throwing by the end of this season, although Cleveland never activated him because the starting rotation was already getting the job done.
The left-handed Means was an All Star for the Orioles back in 2019. Effectiveness has never been his issue. Means has just struggled staying healthy.
In 78 MLB games, all with the Orioles, Means has a career 3.68 ERA. He also has 334 strikeouts in 401 innings.
The Guardians turn all sorts of pitchers into strong performers, and Means has a lot of talent to work with if Cleveland keeps him around.
It'd be at least a bit odd for the Guardians to pay Means to be around and rehab this season if they weren't going to actually let him pitch for them next season.
It'll be a choice worth watching in the weeks ahead. It could signal how Cleveland feels about its pitching as a whole, and it could be the first move in a key offseason for the Guardians to add some additional contributors.
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