How do you like those play on words? Came up with that all by myself. But, I am going to answer the question. Problem is, we are not sure of the answer. I can tell you this, he has already had a rough toad from opening day starter in Baltimore to reclamation project in Cleveland. But I would not bet against him, and I am certainly rooting for him.

In 2019 Means was the opening day starter for the Orioles, an All-Star and a 12 game winner. Most considered Baltimore an up and coming team, at the time and Means was leading the charge from the mound. That year he pitched 155 innings of 3.60 ERA baseball with 121 strikeouts and only 38 walks. But, in the last 3 seasons he has struck out less batters (33) than he walked in that one year. That is what bad luck and two Tommy John Surgeries will do to a promising career.

During his 3 year span where he logged 345.1 of his career 401.0 innings, he threw a 92-95 MPH fastball, an 82 MPH change-up and a slider that clocked in at 85 MPH. He did not have eye-popping strikeout numbers, in fact they were slightly below league average, but his pinpoint control made up for his lack of k’s.

The problem is, he has pitched less than 25 MLB innings in the past 3 seasons. To say there is risk involved would be an understatement, but if he can get back to 2019 form then the Guardians will have a bargain. If you are a fan of the Guardians, you can not be upset at this contract or what it represents.

The contract is technically a one year $1MM contract with a club option for $6MM in 2026. The club option is very important, it means no matter how good or bad Means is in 2025, the Guardians can give him the guaranteed $1MM and walk away. His one year contract does contain bonuses, but the bonuses are so small, you know how little they expect from him this season. Means receives $75K each for every 10 innings between 20 and 50. If he pitches beyond 50 and up to 90 innings he receives $100K each 10 innings. 90 to 130 pays him $125K every 10 and from 130 to 150 every 10 pays him $150K. There is also no buyout in the contract, so whatever he earns in 2025 is all the Guardians are on the hook for.

So, what does John Means to Cleveland? Either a contract with a huge upside that is affordable for two seasons with a happy ending, or a minimal $1M investment that didn’t work out.

Photo Credit; Akron Beacon Journal, Reddit, MLB

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