Do you remember John Means?
We wouldn’t fault you if you didn’t, but it might be time to start reaclimating yourself to the name.
Means was one of the best pitchers in baseball a few years back, being named an American League All-Star in 2019 and procuring a 3.68 ERA across 73 career starts for the Baltimore Orioles. Means even threw a no-hitter that was one pitch away from being a perfect game back in 2021, but ever since has endured one of the steepest falloffs in recent memory, suffering two season-ending injuries in the last three seasons.
The Red Sox have experience dealing with oft-injured pitchers, though, so it might not come as a surprise that they’re interested.
Boston “had some talks” with the 31-year-old, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive on Thursday.
James Paxton and Liam Hendriks are recent examples of pitchers who arrived at Fenway Park with no intention of pitching in the immediate future. Means wouldn’t be, either, as he underwent a second career Tommy John surgery in June of 2024 — so it’ll be a while before he returns to the mound.
Boston’s success with guys like Paxton and (potentially) Hendriks might be a decent pitch to the former ace, who could sign a two-year deal and work his way back slowly before returning in 2026. The Red Sox are also said to be keeping their options open following the acquisition of Garrett Crochet, so bringing in a guy like Means shouldn’t close the door on other additions to the pitching staff.
It’s not the sexiest move, but it’s one worth monitoring.
