Many people thought the Cleveland Guardians still needed to add more talent to their pitching staff, despite already welcoming Luis L. Ortiz, Slade Cecconi, Shane Bieber, and others.
They agreed with that overall sentiment, so they went out and signed a veteran right-hander capable of starting games and being a versatile reliever.
“The Guardians have a deal with RHP Jakob Junis, per sources. It’s a one-year deal, pending physical, that guarantees $4.5 million to the 32-year-old swingman. Junis can work as a starter or reliever, throwing 265 IP over the last three seasons for the Giants, Brewers, and Reds,” ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel reported via X.
The Guardians have a deal with RHP Jakob Junis, per sources. It’s a one year deal, pending physical, that guarantees $4.5 million to the 32-year-old swingman.
Junis can work as a starter or reliever, throwing 265 IP over the last three seasons for the Giants, Brewers, and Reds.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) February 14, 2025
Junis was excellent last year with the Brewers and Reds, posting a 2.69 ERA in 67 frames.
He is a true jack-of-all-trades when it comes to fulfilling different roles, having started six games and entered 18 of them as a reliever in 2024.
Basically, the Guardians decided to look for a better, more experienced version of Pedro Avila, a guy they could trust to take over as a long reliever, as a traditional bullpen piece, or as a spot starter.
It remains to be seen what role is on the Guardians’ minds for Junis, because there might not be room for him in the rotation, barring an injury or two.
He is probably starting pitching insurance and a solid bullpen arm at the same time.
Still, even if Junis makes the bullpen (which seems like the role he is destined for in Cleveland) and not the rotation, he should return plenty of value.
For the price, it was a gamble the Guardians had to take.
NEXT: Guardians Trade Included Among Most Surprising Offseason Moves
