The Cleveland Guardians have added left-handed pitcher John Means to their roster with a one-year contract, though he will not be available for immediate play as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Means underwent the procedure last June, marking this as his second major elbow surgery since 2022. The 31-year-old pitcher, who previously spent seven seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, has struggled with injuries in recent years, having started only ten games over the last three seasons.

In 2021, Means had a solid campaign, making 26 starts with a record of 6-9 and a respectable 3.62 ERA. However, his recent history has seen a significant decline in playing time. To facilitate Means' addition to the 40-man roster, the Guardians have placed David Fry on the 60-day injured list. Although Means has a club option for 2026, his immediate availability and future contributions remain uncertain.

The Cleveland Guardians have kicked off their 2025 Spring Training with pitchers and catchers reporting and beginning workouts. Medical reports reveal positive updates on key injured players including Shane Bieber, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is set to begin mound progression. Nic Enright is projected to return by April, while Daniel Espino is progressing in his shoulder rehab and may return in the next few months. Utilityman David Fry is responding well to elbow surgery rehab, and Sam Hentges aims to resume throwing next month after shoulder surgery. Trevor Stephan also follows a similar recovery path as Bieber. George Valera is actively working on his knee rehab and expected to start batting practice soon.

The Cleveland Guardians began the 2024 season with impressive hitting but have seen a decline as the season progresses. Despite this, ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle ranked them as the ninth-best offense, citing their low strikeout rate and balanced lineup.

With a young core that includes players like Jose Ramirez, the Guardians are expected to improve. However, they need to enhance their lineup, especially to fill the gap left by David Fry's absence. The front office is urged to consider adding more bats before the season starts.

In their inaugural season under Stephen Vogt, the Cleveland Guardians made a remarkable run to the American League Championship Series. Facing elimination against the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland staged a comeback in Game 4, where a crucial safety squeeze bunt by David Fry secured a vital insurance run, leading to their victory.

Vogt later shared insights on the decision-making process behind the play, highlighting a blend of instinct and analytics that informed their strategy. Fans are optimistic about the Guardians' future as they look forward to the next season.

The Cleveland Guardians are facing an offseason filled with challenges as they aim to make a playoff return in 2025. Key areas needing attention include starting pitching, a powerful bat, and notably, the catcher position.

Bo Naylor's performance has raised concerns, as his offensive output fell short of expectations. With David Fry sidelined due to injury, the Guardians may need to seek external options for catching, despite a limited free-agent market.