Cleveland Guardians
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Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Guardians Pitcher To Make MLB Debut Sunday
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/guardians-pitcher-to-make-mlb-debut-sunday/
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Guardians are clinging to a 4.5-game lead in the AL Central while sporting the best record in the American League at 62-42 and are looking to solidify the roster before the trade deadline for the stretch run.
One of the team’s roster additions is reportedly coming in-house as the Guardians are calling up one of their top pitching prospects to make his big-league debut on Sunday.
Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes announced on X that the Guardians are calling up left-handed starter Joey Cantillo from Triple-A Columbus to make his debut against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.
Cantillo is 24 years old and has a 2.79 ERA in seven starts at Columbus so far this season, and the strikeout artist has 39 Ks through 29 innings.
MLB.com has Cantillo ranked as the team’s 10th-ranked prospect and paints Cantillo as having much-improved stuff since he was drafted, but points out his control can still be an issue at times, as evidenced by his 21 walks in 30.1 innings in the minors this year.
Cleveland has to make a move to clear a spot for Cantillo on the 26-man roster and it’s unclear if this will be just a spot start for Cantillo, as the Guardians have struggled to fill the 5th spot in the rotation all year due to Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen both struggling and being sent down to the minors at times.
Cantillo was a 16th-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2017 and was flipped to the Guardians in the Mike Clevinger trade in 2020.
The post Guardians Pitcher To Make MLB Debut Sunday appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/guardians-pitcher-to-make-mlb-debut-sunday/
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
New Guardians Draft Pick Sends A Clear Message To Fans
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/new-guardians-draft-pick-sends-a-clear-message-to-fans/
(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
While continuing to enjoy having one of the best records in baseball, Cleveland Guardians fans were treated to another exciting occurrence during the recent MLB Draft, as the franchise had the luxury of heading into the All-Star break sitting atop the American League while also having the first pick in the draft.
The new first-overall pick is ready to get to work after quickly signing his big contract, and fans should get excited about the next potential superstar they’ll get to root for in a few years.
No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana shared a video on the Guardians’ official X account recently to say hello to the fans, and the Australia native said he is ready to get to work and excited about the journey in his new city.
Bazzana is wasting no time hitting the ground running as he signed his contract just days after being drafted for a reported $8.95 million, well below the slot value of $10.57 million that comes with being the first overall pick.
As the video showed, Bazzana is already on the field and he could reportedly get started in High-A within the next week.
Bazzana launched a school-record 28 home runs at Oregon State this year and was considered by many to be the best hitter in the draft class en route to becoming the first Australian to be taken No. 1 overall.
It’s exciting for Guardians fans to have someone like this in the organization who is so openly excited about playing for this franchise and so eager to get started right away.
The post New Guardians Draft Pick Sends A Clear Message To Fans appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/new-guardians-draft-pick-sends-a-clear-message-to-fans/
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Video Shows Fans Being Ejected After Brawl At MLB Game
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/video-shows-fans-being-ejected-after-brawl-at-mlb-game/
The Cleveland Guardians have been one of baseball’s most surprising teams so far this season and have shown a ton of fight on the field in the face of adversity.
Unfortunately, that fight on the field spilled into the stands in yesterday’s 7-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, and things got out of hand pretty quickly.
A video surfaced from a fan’s perspective of the fight last night that broke out late in the game and showed multiple fans engaging in some violent behavior, with the main culprits, unfortunately, engaging in Guardian on Guardian crime and Blue Jays fans appearing to stay out of the fracas.
We got a fight at the Guardians/Blue Jays Game!!!
#ForTheLand #TOTHECORE pic.twitter.com/1xgoWtCeSL
— Conor (@ConorKilbane6) June 22, 2024
You never want to see things escalate to this level, as two women had to be pulled off one another and another man was seen towards the end of the video struggling to get up as a Jays fan in a Vladdy Guerrero jersey waved for help.
This type of thing is always a risk at the ballpark, but it’s rare to see infighting between fans of the same team quite like this.
Multiple fans were ejected in what appeared to be a brawl that started between two couples, likely with copious amounts of alcohol involved.
Shoutout to to the Jays fan for de-escalating the situation.
This fight isn’t going to help the case for bringing back Ten Cent Beer Night anytime soon.
The post Video Shows Fans Being Ejected After Brawl At MLB Game appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/video-shows-fans-being-ejected-after-brawl-at-mlb-game/
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Guardians Insider Announces Return Of Star Leadoff Hitter
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/guardians-insider-announces-return-of-star-leadoff-hitter/
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Guardians are getting some excellent news on the injury front.
Gold Glove-winning left fielder and leadoff hitter Steven Kwan, who had been on the shelf since early-May with a hamstring strain, is back in the Guardians lineup where he belongs, at the top.
“Steven Kwan is back and leading off for the Guardians tonight,” Guardians insider Zack Meisel tweeted.
The Guardians’ offense was able to hold down the fort while Kwan was gone and as a result, they lead the AL Central by a comfortable three-game margin over the Kansas City Royals.
Kwan, however, is needed as Cleveland’s schedule starts to get tougher.
His on-base skills, excellent contact ability, and incredible defense will all be welcomed on the Guards.
A steady presence on the bases, Kwan has been instrumental in the Guards’ offense.
He is also one of the big reasons behind Josh Naylor and, particularly, Jose Ramirez’s incredibly high RBI totals.
Kwan was slashing a cool .353/.407/.496 with a .903 OPS in 32 games at the time of suffering his hamstring injury.
He has met the team rehab standards and played in multiple minor league games before being activated.
To make room for Kwan on the roster, the Guards designated fellow outfielder Estevan Florial for assignment.
Now that they have Kwan again, Cleveland adds another dangerous, skilled hitter to an improving offense that in addition to boasting two premier run-producers in J-Ram and Naylor also has two exciting rookies (Johnathan Rodriguez and Kyle Manzardo), the surging David Fry, the steady Andres Gimenez, and unsung contributors such as Will Brennan and Tyler Freeman.
The post Guardians Insider Announces Return Of Star Leadoff Hitter appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/guardians-insider-announces-return-of-star-leadoff-hitter/
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Jose Ramirez Holds Firm Lead Atop Key MLB Leaderboard
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/jose-ramirez-holds-firm-lead-atop-key-mlb-leaderboard/
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
By now, we know that those who accumulate the most RBI in MLB are not necessarily the best hitters.
The stat is not directly tied with hitting performance, but it does require some offensive skill, a knack for hitting with people on base, and tells us a lot about the quality of the lineup around the league leaders.
When it comes to driving in runs, Cleveland Guardians star Jose Ramirez has been the best in the league in 2024.
So yes, in this specific case, the league leader in runs batted in is, in fact, a fantastic hitter overall.
It can happen, too!
FOX Sports: MLB posted the MLB leaderboard in the statistical category, and the Guardians star has managed to build an impressive lead.
Ramirez has played 53 games and has accumulated 54 RBI to this point.
That’s very impressive and says a lot about the Guardians hitters in front of Ramirez and about the latter’s incredible situational hitting.
Ramirez has a .592 OPS with no runners on base.
That number increases dramatically with runners on (1.138) and runners in scoring position (1.104).
That, combined with the notable contributions from the likes of Steven Kwan and Andres Gimenez, explain J-Ram’s incredible RBI total.
His current end-of-the-season projection is 165 RBI, which would be, rather easily, a career-high and the highest number in the American League in quite some time.
After a rather slow start this year, the perennial MVP candidate is already sporting a .855 OPS with 15 home runs and a .537 OPS.
He is truly a special hitter of incalculable value to the Guards.
The post Jose Ramirez Holds Firm Lead Atop Key MLB Leaderboard appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/jose-ramirez-holds-firm-lead-atop-key-mlb-leaderboard/
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Guardians Starter Suffers Setback In Recovery From Elbow Injury
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/guardians-starter-suffers-setback-in-recovery-from-elbow-injury/
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Elbow injuries have eaten pitchers alive this season in MLB.
The number of hurlers suffering ligament damage or flexor tendon strains is growing by the day.
Of them, Cleveland Guardians young starter Gavin Williams was getting closer to a return to action.
He originally suffered elbow discomfort after a weighted ball workout on March 10, and was immediately shut down.
He was completing steps towards returning: mound work, live batting practice, and others, but will now have to cease throwing again for a few days after suffering renewed discomfort.
“Gavin Williams experienced a recurrence of elbow soreness after his most recent outing. He’ll get an injection and be shut down for seven days before resuming his throwing program,” Guardians insider Zack Meisel tweeted.
That certainly qualifies as tough news for Guardians fans, who are on a high note after their team has won five straight games and eight of their last nine.
To embark on a deep, meaningful and fruitful postseason run, Cleveland needs all their top pitchers and that certainly includes Williams.
The right-hander knew how to make a strong impression as a rookie last year, with a 3.29 ERA in 82 innings.
The Guardians haven’t offered details of how long will it take for him to return, but after this setback, it sure won’t be anytime soon.
The team should prioritize long-term health over short-term needs, so there is a chance we won’t see him back for at least a few more weeks.
In the meantime, Carlos Carrasco and Ben Lively, who have been pitching very well, are expected to remain in the rotation.
The post Guardians Starter Suffers Setback In Recovery From Elbow Injury appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/guardians-starter-suffers-setback-in-recovery-from-elbow-injury/
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Video Shows Magical Eclipse View Before Guardians Home Opener
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/video-shows-magical-eclipse-view-before-guardians-home-opener/
(Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
People started to fill the seats at Progressive Field early on Monday, where the Cleveland Guardians will host the Chicago White Sox for their 2024 home opener.
Tickets for the game have been sold out for a while now, which has become customary in Guardians history.
Originally, the idea was to play an afternoon game but special circumstances forced the organization to push back the start time to 5:10 p.m. ET.
Why?
Well, because of something that hasn’t happened in a very long time: a total solar eclipse.
FOX Sports: MLB posted a short video taken at 3 p.m. ET.
“Progressive Field at 3pm during the Solar eclipse,” they wrote in the caption.
You can see for yourself:
Progressive Field at 3pm during the Solar eclipse
(via @CST_soxvan)pic.twitter.com/VcKOu9PVXj
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 8, 2024
It looks like a night game!
The total eclipse caused a fascinating visual effect in the sky, and those present in the crowd were able to enjoy the view with special care and equipment, of course.
It’s definitely a special day in Cleveland, in what is shaping up to be a special start of the season.
With their 7-2 record in their first nine games, the Guards lead the AL Central by one game, over the 6-3 Detroit Tigers.
They just lost Shane Bieber for the season with an elbow injury that requires Tommy John surgery, but fans aren’t letting that ruin the momentum.
They intend to be loud on Monday as the Guards take on the White Sox in their opener.
For the first time in 2024, they will show the fans what they are capable of on the field.
This is a balanced team with a brilliant and deep pitching staff and an underrated offense which is much better than last year’s edition.
The post Video Shows Magical Eclipse View Before Guardians Home Opener appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/video-shows-magical-eclipse-view-before-guardians-home-opener/
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Shane Bieber Shares Heartbreaking Message After Injury Diagnosis
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/shane-bieber-shares-heartbreaking-message-after-injury-diagnosis/
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The weekend was rough for Cleveland Guardians fans, the organization, and ace Shane Bieber.
After winning both his starts with a perfect 0.00 ERA and a 1/20 BB/K ratio, it was revealed that he has been feeling discomfort since his Opening Day start and has ligament damage in his elbow.
He has been recommended to get the dreaded Tommy John surgery and won’t pitch again in 2024.
It’s possible, even likely, that his fruitful tenure with the Guardians is over.
If there was someone who worked hard over the offseason to improve and regain his best version, it was Bieber.
After posting a 3.80 ERA and showing diminishing velocity in 2022 and 2023, he became a student of Driveline and regained a couple of ticks on his fastball.
He looked dominant to open the year and manhandled the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners.
His arm, however, said “stop.”
The pitcher shared a heartbreaking quote about his injury, according to Guardians insider Zack Meisel.
“An emotional Shane Bieber, holding back tears, said he had ‘fallen in love with pitching again’ and said about this season: ‘I know I’ll be a part of it, but just in a different capacity,’” Meisel tweeted.
That is heartbreaking on so many levels.
To read Bieber had fallen in love with pitching again and has this ending in 2024 is just rough.
He is a fantastic pitcher and seems like a genuinely good guy, so it’s a tough break for him.
He will be back in late 2025 or early 2026, though: he just needs to be patient.
Maybe fate dictates that the Guards give him a short-term deal to build back value.
Who knows?
For now, it’s just tough to see him on the sidelines for what is looking like a promising season of baseball in Cleveland.
The post Shane Bieber Shares Heartbreaking Message After Injury Diagnosis appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/shane-bieber-shares-heartbreaking-message-after-injury-diagnosis/
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Everyone’s Stunned By Today’s Shane Bieber News
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/everyones-stunned-by-todays-shane-bieber-news/
(Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Guardians are off to a strong start to the season at 6-2, but that all of a sudden is an afterthought after the recent injury news out of their trainer’s room.
Former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber was off to a dominant 2-0 start, and it’s now all over as he will be undergoing Tommy John surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Fans are understandably devastated, as losing your ace is one of the most impossible things to overcome in baseball.
Twitter quickly turned into a grieving session for Guardians fans and baseball fans everywhere.
Bieber had some injury concerns last year and only made 21 starts, so this is a devastating blow as he was firing on all cylinders and making an early case to push for a second Cy Young award.
There’s nowhere to turn to fill in for Bieber, as you can’t replace a guy with a 3.22 career ERA.
The bigger picture here is that while elbow injuries have always been prevalent for pitchers, the issue seems to be getting worse.
Some other big-name pitchers who are currently out with elbow injuries include Jacob DeGrom, Sandy Alcantara, Shohei Ohtani, Gerrit Cole, Eury Perez, Walker Buehler, Robbie Ray, Dustin May, Shane McLanahan, Felix Bautista, Lucas Giolito, and now Spencer Strider.
One has to wonder if the prioritization of velocity in recent years is starting to rear its ugly head.
Will we soon see a day when teams dial it back and focus more on longevity?
The post Everyone’s Stunned By Today’s Shane Bieber News appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/everyones-stunned-by-todays-shane-bieber-news/
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Guardians Place Former Gold Glover On Waivers
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/guardians-place-former-gold-glover-on-waivers/
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
MLB teams value players who can run, field, and have other tools like a good arm, intangibles, work ethic and are a good clubhouse presence.
Those are all desirable traits.
However, when it comes to position players, they are required to hit.
The offensive profile is often what keeps a player on the roster or in the starting lineup.
In the case of Cleveland Guardians center fielder Myles Straw, his lack of hitting may cost him his roster spot.
Needing a space on the roster, the organization announced on Friday that they have placed him on waivers.
“Updates: Myles Straw’s roster spot is not guaranteed. He’s on waivers and has an option. Sam Hentges will start on the IL. Brayan Rocchio will get bulk of SS reps. Chase DeLauter’s time with the big-league club has ended. He was in depth camp, was never going to make the team,” Guardians insider Zack Meisel tweeted.
Let’s focus on Straw here, the winner of the American League’s Gold Glove in center field in 2022.
His defense is amazing: he has range, and he is fearless back there.
He can also run, as he has accumulated 71 stolen bases in the last three years.
However, he is an offensive liability and the Guardians have some players who could play center field.
Straw posted a .597 OPS last year, and has a career .625 mark.
The good news for him is that there is a chance someone claims him, as he was actually having a good spring with a .345/.406/.448 line and a .854 OPS.
If no one claims him, he could return to the Guards but as outfield depth, probably in Triple-A.
It’s shocking to see him waived because he’s owed $4.5 million this season, $6 million in 2025, and $7 million in 2026, plus a $1.75 million buyout in 2027.
The next few days will be crucial for his future.
The post Guardians Place Former Gold Glover On Waivers appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/guardians-place-former-gold-glover-on-waivers/
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Erik Sabrowski Likely To Start Season On IL
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/erik-sabrowski-likely-to-start-season-on-il.html
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/erik-sabrowski-likely-to-start-season-on-il.html
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Tyler Naquin Converting To Pitching, Signs Minor League Deal With Guardians
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025...g-signs-minor-league-deal-with-guardians.html
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025...g-signs-minor-league-deal-with-guardians.html
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Offseason In Review: Cleveland Guardians
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/offseason-in-review-cleveland-guardians-4.html
The Guardians kept their longtime ace but traded their everyday first baseman ahead of his final season of club control. Their offseason featured a blend of creative trades to trim payroll and acquire controllable talent, plus some short-term spending on veterans to replace some of the big leaguers they traded away. It was a vintage Cleveland offseason that should keep them in the mix in what'll be a tightly contested AL Central.
Major League Signings
- Shane Bieber, RHP: Two years, $26MM (opt-out after 2025 season)
- Carlos Santana, 1B: One year, $12MM
- Paul Sewald, RHP: One year, $7MM (includes buyout on 2026 mutual option)
- Jakob Junis, RHP: One year, $4.5MM
- Austin Hedges, C: One year, $4MM
- John Means, LHP: One year, $1MM (club has $6MM option for 2026, no buyout)
2025 spending: $37.5MM
Total spending: $54.5MM
Option Decisions
- None
Trades and Waiver Claims
- Acquired RHP Slade Cecconi and Competitive Balance Draft Pick (Round B) from D-backs in exchange for 1B Josh Naylor
- Acquired 1B Spencer Horwitz and OF Nick Mitchell from Blue Jays in exchange for 2B Andres Gimenez and RHP Nick Sandlin
- Acquired RHP Luis Ortiz, LHP Josh Hartle and LHP Michael Kennedy from Pirates in exchange for 1B Spencer Horwitz
- Traded RHP Eli Morgan to Cubs in exchange for OF Alfonsin Rosario
- Traded RHP Peter Strzelecki to Pirates in exchange for cash
- Traded OF Myles Straw to Blue Jays in exchange for PTBNL
Notable Minor League Signings
- Vince Velasquez, Kolby Allard, Parker Mushinski, George Valera (re-signed), Luis Frias, Riley Pint, Dom Nunez
Extensions
- None
Notable Losses
- Josh Naylor, Andres Gimenez, Matthew Boyd, Alex Cobb, Nick Sandlin, Eli Morgan, Myles Straw, Peter Strzelecki, James Karinchak (non-tendered), Pedro Avila (outrighted, elected free agency)
The Guardians entered the 2024-25 offseason looking to bolster a roster that made an unexpected run to the American League Championship Series. Cleveland faced decisions on some players with dwindling club control and, as is always the case, some notable payroll limitations. In a departure from most offseasons, however, the Guards found themselves in an unfamiliar position: needing to acquire starting pitching.
Cleveland has emerged as one of the industry leaders in maximizing its rotation output. At times, it feels as though they have an almost magical ability to produce quality starting pitchers out of thin air. In fact, when the Guardians signed righty Ben Lively to a one-year, $800K deal in the 2023-24 offseason, it was the first time they'd signed any free agent starter to a major league contract since inking Gavin Floyd back in 2014. Midway through the 2024 season, they did so again, signing Matthew Boyd to a major league contract.
Both moves worked out splendidly. Boyd started eight games down the stretch and produced a sub-3.00 ERA. Lively finished second on the club with 151 innings and notched a 3.81 ERA and stuck with the club as an arbitration-eligible player. He'll be back in the 2025 rotation. Boyd, however, hit free agency and did so alongside former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber and trade deadline acquisition Alex Cobb.
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Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/offseason-in-review-cleveland-guardians-4.html
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Chase DeLauter Undergoes Core Muscle Surgery
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/chase-delauter-undergoes-core-muscle-surgery.html
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/chase-delauter-undergoes-core-muscle-surgery.html
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
AL Central Notes: Guardians, Taylor, Jenkins
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/al-central-notes-guardians-taylor-jenkins.html
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/al-central-notes-guardians-taylor-jenkins.html
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
10 Out Of Options Players To Watch This Spring
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/10-out-of-options-players-mlb-spring-training.html
One of the most interesting elements of spring training every year, at least for those of us who feast on roster construction minutiae, is the collection of players who are out of minor league options. MLBTR just released a full list of such players earlier today.
In many instances, a player being out of minor league options is inconsequential. Justin Steele, Isaac Paredes and Evan Phillips are among the players who fit that description but are in no risk of losing their MLB roster spot. They're all key players on big league rosters who'd never be in danger of being sent down to the minors anyhow.
However, there are typically a handful of players every spring who are on the roster bubble with their current club but who could be a better fit on a team with less competition in their current position. Most of these players have already had big league opportunities with their current club but whether due to injury or poor performance (or both) have yet to firmly seize hold of a roster spot. As players exhaust their minor league options, they'll tend to face increased competition from younger players progressing through the minor league ranks and/or external additions made via trade or free agency. An out-of-options player who doesn't fit his current roster can still go on to find a more solid role and some success elsewhere. Joey Bart was in just this spot last year and after being squeezed out in San Francisco has emerged as Pittsburgh's starting catcher. The Yankees didn't have a spot for Ben Rortvedt, but he's the Rays' clear No. 2 catcher now.
Let's run through 10 names to keep an eye on this spring. Not all of these players will lose their roster spots, and even some who do might not wind up making an impact elsewhere. But each of the names listed here has some reason to hold a bit more intrigue than many of their out-of-options brethren (players listed alphabetically)...
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Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/10-out-of-options-players-mlb-spring-training.html
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Franco Aleman Undergoes Hernia Procedure
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/franco-aleman-undergoes-hernia-procedure.html
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/franco-aleman-undergoes-hernia-procedure.html
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Guardians Owner Larry Dolan Passes Away At 94
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/guardians-owner-larry-dolan-passes-away-94.html
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/guardians-owner-larry-dolan-passes-away-94.html
Cleveland Guardians
Role Player
Guardians Sign John Means
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/guardians-to-sign-john-means.html
The Guardians announced the signing of free agent lefty John Means on a one-year deal with a 2026 club option. The Wasserman client will reportedly make $1MM for the upcoming season. The option carries a base value of $6MM and contains $1.5MM in bonuses: $75K apiece for every 10 innings between 20 and 50, $100K each for the next 10 innings up to 90, $125K for the following 10 innings through 130, and $150K each at 140 and 150 frames. The option does not include a buyout, so the guarantee is $1MM. Means is recovering from his second career Tommy John surgery and expected to be out of action until August.
As a corresponding move, Cleveland placed David Fry on the 60-day injured list. Fry underwent UCL surgery in November and won’t be able to play the field this year. Even returning as a DH will reportedly take six to eight months from that surgery, meaning he likely won’t return until midseason.
Means, 31, was once the Opening Day starter for the Orioles and looked to be a cornerstone in the rotation as the team navigated the late stages of its rebuild and moved back into a win-now mode. The southpaw pitched to a 3.72 ERA in 353 1/3 innings from 2019-22 but was limited to just eight innings in the final of those four years when a UCL tear necessitated Tommy John surgery.
Means grinded through a yearlong rehab process and returned late in the 2023 season. He didn’t make it out of May of 2024 without reinjuring his elbow, unfortunately, and the team announced a second UCL procedure for Means last June. That surgery figures to sideline him beyond the All-Star break — perhaps into the final month or so of the season. Given that timeline, he’s not a lock to pitch for Cleveland at all this year. Any setbacks of note would make it tough for the lefty to get back on a big league mound in 2025.
At his best, Means sat 92-94mph with a four-seamer and complemented the pitch with an 82 mph changeup and 85 mph slider. His strikeout rate typically sat just below league average, though Means’ impeccable command helped to offset his pedestrian bat-missing numbers.
Now, however, three full seasons have elapsed since Means last pitched even 25 big league innings in a season. He tossed 146 2/3 innings in 2019 when first establishing himself and logged a career-high 155 frames in 2021. He’s since combined for just 52 1/3 innings: eight in 2022, 23 2/3 in 2023 and 20 2/3 in 2024. When he was healthy enough to take the mound last year, Means’ fastball averaged only 90.5 mph — down more than three miles per hour from its peak of 93.8 in 2020.
There’s clearly a good bit of uncertainty with Means, which is reflected in the minimal nature of his guarantee this season. If he can get back to peak form, or even 80-90% of that form, he’ll be a bargain addition. If not, the Guardians are barely investing more than a league-minimum salary and can simply move on at season’s end. Stocking up on late-season reinforcements for the staff makes some sense for the Guardians, who don’t have the type of rotation certainty that we’ve generally come to expect from them over the years.
Right-hander Tanner Bibee has emerged as the unquestioned staff leader, but the rest of the group is far less certain. Gavin Williams and Logan Allen, both top prospects who graduated alongside Bibee and impressed in 2023, took substantial steps backwards in 2024. Right-hander Ben Lively has found a second act in his MLB career after spending three years in the KBO, but he sat 89.9 mph with his heater last year. He’s far from a sure thing, but coming off 151 innings of 3.81 ERA ball, he’s likely locked into a spot. Beyond Bibee and Lively, things are more up in the air.
Triston McKenzie opted to forgo surgery in 2023 when he was diagnosed with a UCL injury, and his 2024 season included 16 starts with a 5.11 ERA and noticeably lesser stuff on the mound. Cleveland picked up hard-throwing righty Luis Ortiz from the Pirates in the Andres Gimenez/Spencer Horwitz trade this offseason, but he’s something of a project, having yet to pitch a full season in a big league rotation. Swingman Jakob Junis signed a one-year deal within the past week and could factor into the rotation or serve as a long man in Stephen Vogt’s bullpen. Shane Bieber is back with the club on a two-year deal, but he’s rehabbing from his own Tommy John operation, performed April 12 last year. He’s not likely to be an option until May or June, and the rehab from any major surgery comes with the possibility of setbacks.
In all likelihood, Cleveland will open the season with a rotation including some combination of Bibee, Williams, Lively, Ortiz, McKenzie, Junis and Allen. Others on the 40-man roster include Joey Cantillo, Doug Nikhazy and Slade Cecconi, while non-roster hopefuls in camp include veterans Vince Velasquez and Kolby Allard.
There’s plenty of volume, but the Guards will need to continue showing their knack for coaxing quality performances out of unassuming pitchers if they’re to repeat as champions in an American League Central where they’ll face competition from the Tigers, Royals and Twins. Getting Means back in mid-August could serve the same effective boost as a trade deadline pickup, but only time will tell where his velocity will sit and what kind of workload he can be realistically expected to shoulder.
MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reported that the Guardians were in “advanced talks” with Means. Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com had the one-year agreement with a ’26 option. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel reported the $1MM guarantee, option value of up to $7.5MM, and the August return timeline. Jon Heyman of The New York Post had the incentive breakdown.
Source: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/guardians-to-sign-john-means.html