While the contract John Means signed with the Guardians last February was a one-year, $1 million pact for 2025, it was done with 2026 in mind.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2024 (the second TJ surgery of his career), Means wasn’t expected to make a big contribution in 2025. Instead, the biggest part of the deal was in the form of the $6 million club option the Guardians have for Means in 2026.
And although Means never appeared in a game for the Guardians in 2025 while rehabbing from that aforementioned Tommy John surgery, the Guardians should still pick up his $6 million option.