2019 All-Star John Means is hitting the open market, looking for a home to rehab. He looks to pitch again at some point but may not in 2025.
Former All-Star, Oft-Injured Pitcher Hitting Free Agency
John Means, 31, made his MLB debut in 2018 and quickly became a star. Despite pitching for a terrible Orioles team, who finished 54-108 in 2019, Means collected 12 wins that season and was selected as an All-Star. He remained an elite pitcher in 2020 and 2021, cementing himself as the future ace of the Orioles. Means even spun a no-hitter early in the 2021 season.
However, since those 3 straight impressive seasons, Means has had trouble staying healthy. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022, Means faced multiple setbacks along the way to returning in late 2023. But, right before the 2023 playoffs, Means went down with another injury, which held him out for the first part of the 2024 season. Then, after looking like he was returning to form, Means suffered another elbow injury and underwent Tommy John surgery again, which he is currently looking to recover from.
A Look At Means’s Stats
There is no denying that Means is a stud pitcher at full strength.
Over his 3 fully healthy seasons, Means averaged a 3.83 ERA. Excluding the COVID-19-shortened 2020, Means struck out over 120 batters in both of his best years while starting over 25 games each year. Also, Means is extremely good at controlling the basepaths and does not allow many baserunners. During his 3-year peak, Means averaged a 1.05 WHIP and maintained a BB/9 consistently below 2.3.
Although Means barely pitched over 2023 and 2024, when he did, he was effective. In 8 total starts over the two seasons, Means averaged a 2.64 ERA and had a 3-2 record. Also, he collected 0.7 bWar in both seasons, which was impressive considering he only had 4 starts in each year. Overall, despite long pauses, every time Means came back, he was effective and pitched to his strengths.
Means’s Potential Contract
Means made 3.325 million dollars last season and is now an unrestricted free agent. However, it’s extremely hard to predict what Means will command this offseason, considering he is unlikely to pitch during the 2025 season. One possibility for Means could be the type of contract Brandon Woodruff signed with the Brewers last offseason.
Woodruff, who was going to be out all of the 2024 season, signed a three-year deal with a mutual option for the third year. While Woodruff rehabbed the 2024 season, he made just 2.5 million dollars, but his contract jumps to 5 million dollars for the 2025 season, as he is expected to return. Then in 2026, he and the Brewers have a 20 million dollar mutual option.
This type of contract is something the Orioles could certainly look at doing. Means definitely still has the potential to return to All-Star form. They could opt to let him rehab for a year before slotting him back in the rotation. Then, the Orioles will have a year to see Means pitch before they have to make a decision.
Other Potential Landing Spots
Realistically, there is a chance Means goes unsigned for the 2025 season. Teams may not want to use the money on the chance of Means coming back and opt to wait until he is fully healthy.
However, one team that could give Means a home in 2024 could be the Angels. The Angels constantly have pitching problems and have taken on former Orioles pitchers before. While the Angels try to retool during 2025, they could give Means a home while he rehabs. Then, in 2026, the Angels would look to take the next step with Means as a key part of their rotation.
Main Photo Credits: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
