CLEVELAND -- Amid a flurry of roster moves on Thursday, the Guardians declined left-hander John Means' $6 million club option for 2026.
The decision made Means a free agent after one season with Cleveland, during which he finished his recovery from June 2024 Tommy John surgery but ultimately did not pitch for the Guardians.
Additionally, the Guardians outrighted five players to Triple-A Columbus, each of whom elected free agency: lefties Kolby Allard and Matt Krook, right-hander Ben Lively, catcher Dom Nuñez and infielder Will Wilson.
The Guardians also activated outfielder Will Brennan and relievers Sam Hentges and Andrew Walters from the 60-day IL.
The 40-man roster now stands at 37.
Means signed a one-year deal with the option on Feb. 19, which positioned him to potentially help Cleveland down the stretch and be part of the rotation in 2026. Means (who also underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2022) made seven Minor League rehab starts and was ready to return in late September, but was not activated by season’s end.
The Guardians did not have room for Means in the rotation after they pivoted to a six-man staff on Sept. 3. Cleveland surged to the postseason behind its starters. Over the Guardians’ final 25 games from Sept. 3-28, Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen, Parker Messick and Joey Cantillo recorded a combined 2.16 ERA (second in MLB behind the Dodgers in that span) over 150 innings.
The Guardians went 20-5 during that stretch to pull off a historic comeback to clinch the AL Central.
“Obviously, it's an interesting situation for John,” manager Stephen Vogt said on Sept. 28. “He's super understanding, and we're thinking about him as well. He's coming off his second Tommy John surgery. To make a start in these types of games would be unfair to ask him to go do that.
“On the flip side, we've had six starters throwing really well. So it was an interesting situation that came about, but John has taken it and he understands. He's been a great teammate -- an unbelievable teammate.”
Had the Guardians picked up Means’ option, they would have entered the winter with a bit of a rotation surplus. Perhaps they could have gauged his or another starter’s trade market, to help address other offseason needs. Means has made 10 starts since the start of 2022, but he was an All-Star in ‘19 and holds a career 3.68 ERA over 78 games (73 starts).
As it stands, Cleveland still has six starters the club feels confident in using and can sort through how each fits on the staff over the coming months.
Among the others who are now free agents, Allard was a Swiss Army knife of sorts for Vogt after signing a Minor League deal on Feb. 3. The lefty recorded a 2.63 ERA in 65 innings over 33 games (including two starts).
Lively was a rotation revelation the past two seasons, tallying a 3.68 ERA over 38 starts. But he underwent Tommy John surgery in June and is expected to miss most of next season. He was a potential non-tender candidate.
Krook did not pitch in the Majors after the Guardians claimed him off waivers from the A’s on May 29. Wilson had a .192/.267/.244 slash line in 34 games over three stints in the Majors while shuttling between the Guardians and Columbus.
Brennan underwent Tommy John surgery in June and sports hernia surgery in September. It is expected he will be a full participant in Spring Training.
Hentges did not pitch this past season while recovering from September 2024 left shoulder surgery. He also underwent right knee surgery this September.
Walters underwent season-ending right lat surgery in June.