The Cleveland Guardians signed right-hander Jakob Junis to a one-year deal last spring in a low-risk move that delivered significant returns.
Junis posted a 2.97 ERA across 66 2/3 innings and emerged as one of the most reliable arms in their bullpen.
With free agency approaching and the team facing uncertainty after Emmanuel Clase’s departure, Junis has positioned himself for a substantial raise.
In a recent analysis for Bleacher Report, Kerry Miller made it clear, the Guardians shouldn’t let Junis walk, urging them to bring the veteran back for 2025-26.
“RHP Jake Junis,” Miller wrote. “Minimal options here with Junis and OF Lane Thomas the only free agents for the AL Central champs—and at least Junis provided some value in 2025, giving the Guardians a 2.28 ERA across 17 appearances over the final two months of the regular season as they made their seemingly impossible comeback. We’ll see about the cost, though. He was on a one-year, $4.5 million deal, and a repeat of that would make him one of the five highest-paid players on Cleveland’s 2026 payroll.”
Junis does not rely on overpowering velocity but continues to generate results through command and pitch selection.
He recorded a 6.6% walk rate and a 6.1% barrel rate while showing the ability to handle multiple innings when required.
The Guardians have built their bullpen primarily through internal development.
However, Junis offers a proven veteran presence that complements that group.
His nine MLB seasons across multiple organizations have provided leadership and professionalism that the Guardians value beyond statistics.
Junis uses his slider and changeup effectively to keep hitters off balance while maintaining control of the strike zone.
Those traits make him a versatile option capable of filling different roles as Cleveland aims to sustain its competitive position in the division.
NEXT: Guardians Called To Extend Key Pitcher This Offseason
