Szymborski: John Means could be a no. 2 starter

[Frobby]

Fangraphs’ Dave Szymborski has an article out on possible breakout pitchers.   John Means is one of them and here’s part of what he said:

“It took Means a while to figure out just how to use his new-found velocity, but it was something he found as the season went on, and in his last four games, he struck out 30 batters in 23 2/3 innings and put up a 15.7% swinging-strike rate. Three of those four teams (Yankees, Rays, Blue Jays) made the playoffs, so it’s not like he was feasting on the Rangers or Tigers. I think Means establishes himself as a real No. 2 starter and a long-term piece for Baltimore this season.”

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/szymborskis-2021-breakout-candidates-pitchers/

[Bahama O's Fan]

So who's the 1?

[Frobby]

6 minutes ago, Bahama O's Fan said:

So who's the 1?

Second things first.   

[Moose Milligan]

45 minutes ago, Bahama O's Fan said:

So who's the 1?

Means until someone else takes over.  I'm assuming it'll be Rodriguez but who knows.

[IPlayGM]

Wouldn’t it be the Tampa thing to extend him?

[Can_of_corn]

12 minutes ago, IPlayGM said:

Wouldn’t it be the Tampa thing to extend him?

Then trade him anyway?

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

Interesting, I like Means, but if he really is that good it probably leads to Elias trading him. 

[Sports Guy]

I said it last year but you could argue the best thing that came out of 2020 was the new found velocity for Means.

[Frobby]

1 hour ago, Sports Guy said:

I said it last year but you could argue the best thing that came out of 2020 was the new found velocity for Means.

I’d probably go for the development of the Covid vaccine. But Means’ velocity would be a close second.

[wildcard]

7 hours ago, IPlayGM said:

Wouldn’t it be the Tampa thing to extend him?

Means only has 2 years of service time.    An extension decision is years away.

[Can_of_corn]

59 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Means only has 2 years of service time.    An extension decision is years away.

Not for the Rays.

[maybenxtyr]

2 hours ago, wildcard said:

Means only has 2 years of service time.    An extension decision is years away.

Not for smaller market teams that like to make wise decisions.

[Sports Guy]

No interest in a Means contract extension.  I don’t want to buy out any FA years for him.

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, Sports Guy said:

No interest in a Means contract extension.  I don’t want to buy out any FA years for him.

1- Would cost control his arbitration years

2- Could make him a more attractive trade piece.

Ideally you would make any potential free agent years options.  Offer him 4 years at X with team options on years Y and Y+1.

If you do think he's a #2 going forward then it's probably a smart decision to make even if you don't want him past six years.

[DirtyBird]

7 hours ago, OsFanSinceThe80s said:

Interesting, I like Means, but if he really is that good it probably leads to Elias trading him. 

Has Elias traded anyone who projects to be a valuable asset in '23/'24 seasons, when the team should expect to be competitive?