The Cleveland Guardians made an interesting move this week by signing left-handed starter John Means to a one-year contract with a club option for 2026.
The catch is that he is still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery performed in the summer of 2024, the second of his career.
He probably won’t be an option for the Guards until the second half, much like what happened with Matthew Boyd last year.
That particular signing was a huge success, so the team figured to try a similar strategy again.
MLB insider Jon Heyman offered important details about the structure of Means’ deal with Cleveland.
“John Means, Guardians: $1M: 2025 opt 2026.$1M – 2025, Club Option 2026 for $6M. Plus in 2026: $75K each for 20ip; 30ip; 40ip; 50ip; $100K each for 60ip; 70ip; 80ip; 90ip; 125K each for 100ip; 110ip; 120ip; 130ip, $150K each for 140ip; 150ip,” Heyman reported via X.
John Means
Guardians$1M: 2025 opt 2026
$1M – 2025
Club Option 2026 for $6M
Plus in 2026: $75K each for 20ip; 30ip; 40ip; 50ip; $100K each for 60ip; 70ip; 80ip; 90ip; 125K each for 100ip; 110ip; 120ip; 130ip, $150K each for 140ip; 150ip
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 20, 2025
Given the fact that he is a longshot to make a relevant contribution this year, Means get a team-friendly $1 million salary in 2025.
The club option for next year goes considerably up since he will be theoretically ready to pitch from the go.
Maybe the most important thing is the innings incentive available for him: the more he pitches, the more he makes.
That would be good for him and good for the Guardians because if he’s pitching, it means he is healthy and doing well on the mound.
Means has been limited to just 52.1 frames in the last three years combined, mostly due to injuries.
He does have a career 3.68 ERA and is still just 31, so yes: there is a chance he eventually recaptures his form and helps Cleveland.
NEXT: Wild Stat Emerges About Guardians' Bullpen
