Guardians Sign Jakob Junis to One-Year Deal Amid Rotation Questions

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Guardians have officially signed right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, pending a physical examination, according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel on Thursday. This move comes as the Guardians seek to bolster their pitching staff, which faced considerable challenges due to injuries last season.

Junis, 32, has shown versatility throughout his career, toggling between starting and relief roles. He had notable success in 2024, posting a 2.69 earned run average (ERA) over 67 innings, while achieving a remarkable 0.85 WHIP and striking out 51 batters against only eight walks, characteristics that mark him as a valuable asset.

“He’s an intriguing addition for Cleveland,” said McDaniel. “With the right moves, he could fill a sizable role in the rotation or as a multi-inning reliever.”

The Guardians’ rotation has been a point of concern, especially after ace Shane Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery, which has sidelined him for the beginning of the 2025 season. Amid this uncertainty, the Guardians’ pitching staff will also rely on the contributions of other pitchers, including Aaron Civale and trade acquisitions. Junis’s addition allows the team to maintain depth, especially after utilizing 14 different starters last year.

Last season, Junis split time between the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds, after being traded at the deadline. Despite a series of injuries, including a severe shoulder impingement and a neck injury caused by a fly ball, he turned in solid performances down the stretch, allowing two or fewer runs in each of his final six games.

His impressive track record includes maintaining an extraordinary control rate throughout his career, with a career-low walk rate at 3.2% last season. Junis’s primary pitches include a sinker and four-seam fastball hovering between 91-92 MPH and a low-80s slider. Despite having some challenges against left-handed batters in earlier seasons, he managed to limit lefties to a .218 batting average last year.

As the Guardians focus on building a competitive team ahead of the upcoming season, Junis provides crucial depth. The team’s projected payroll is approximately $100 million, which mirrors last season’s financial commitments, leaving room for further acquisitions to strengthen their lineup. Cleveland’s management continues to assess their rotation options, which also includes younger pitchers who could develop into essential contributors.