The Cleveland Guardians closed the regular season on a high note.
Their starting rotation was among the best in the game down the stretch, and most of those pitchers should get a chance to keep their jobs next year.
That’s why figuring out what to do with John Means won’t be an easy decision.
“John Means has a club option worth $6 million for 2026. The Guardians must exercise or decline it within five days of the end of the World Series. Means (who signed a one-year deal with the option on Feb. 19) made seven minor league rehab starts down the stretch in his comeback from Tommy John surgery. He ultimately did not pitch in the majors, in part due to how well Cleveland’s six-man rotation performed in September. Would the Guardians pick up Means’ option and then sort through the rotation picture? Or could they decline it and allocate their resources elsewhere?” Tim Stebbins wrote.
On the one hand, Means is a proven veteran who could come in handy, especially against high-end competition.
On the other hand, it’s been a while since he last pitched in the majors, and he has struggled with injuries for most of his career.
Also, while a team can never have too much pitching and any staff can be improved, the Guardians seem to be set right now.
If anything, they may have more pitchers than they can use.
Even with Luis L. Ortiz on administrative leave and most likely never pitching again in MLB because of a gambling scandal, Cleveland has plenty of options.
Parker Messick looked like a star in the making in limited action, and Joey Cantillo also proved that he should be given a bigger role next season.
Of course, no one wants to waste time and money, and the Guardians already spent resources in helping Means recover, but that doesn’t mean they have to double down on that commitment.
NEXT: Insider Names Potential Trade Candidate For Guardians
