Guardians Sign Jakob Junis to One-Year Deal
The Cleveland Guardians have agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract wiht right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis, pending a physical. The deal brings versatility to the Guardians’ pitching staff and fills a need for a reliable arm in the bullpen or perhaps even as a starting pitcher.Junis, 32, has a history of pitching in both the rotation and relief roles throughout his career. Over the past two seasons, he’s primarily worked as a multi-inning reliever, posting impressive numbers. In 2021, he had a 3.87 ERA with a career-high 26.2% strikeout rate across 80 innings with the San Francisco Giants.
To make room for Junis on the 40-man roster,the Guardians may place a player on the 60-day injured list,including pitchers Shane Bieber,David Fry,or Sam Hentges.
Last season,Junis signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers,hoping to secure a starting role. Though, a shoulder impingement early in the season sidelined him, followed by a scary incident where he was struck in the neck by a fly ball during batting practice. Despite these setbacks, Junis ultimately returned to action in June and finished the season with the Cincinnati Reds, showing promise as a starter in the final month of the season.
The Guardians are looking to build on a successful 2022 season and Junis’ versatility and experience make him a valuable addition to their pitching staff.
Cleveland Guardians Rotation gets Boost with Veteran Pitcher
Junis Expected to Compete For Opening Day Spot
The Cleveland Guardians rotation has received a notable injection of experience with the signing of right-hander Zach Junis. Junis,a proven major league veteran with eight years of experience,is expected to compete for a spot in the starting rotation during spring training.
Despite battling injuries in 2023, Junis managed to show his value. Limited to 67 innings across stints with the Chicago Cubs and St.Louis Cardinals, he posted a career-low 2.69 ERA. While his strikeout rate dipped slightly, Junis continued to impress with his command, achieving a career-low 3.2% walk rate.
Junis relies primarily on a low-80s slider and a pair of fastballs in the 91-92 MPH range. Despite some past struggles against left-handed hitters, he showed strong performance against both handedness in 2023, suggesting potential for even greater success.
He will be competing for a rotation spot alongside established talent like Tanner Bibee and promising young arms Ben Lively, Gavin Williams, and Luis Ortiz.
The Guardians’ rotation is a key area of focus heading into the 2024 season. Junis’s experience and track record of success make him a valuable addition to the team’s pitching staff.
Guardians Add Veteran Pitcher Luis Ortiz to Rotation Competition
The Cleveland Guardians have signed veteran right-handed pitcher Luis Ortiz to a one-year contract, bolstering their competition for the fifth starter spot.Ortiz, who has pitched in 13 major league games, will join a crowded race that includes Triston McKenzie, Joey Cantillo, Slade Cecconi, and Logan Allen.mckenzie is out of options and is expected to be on the MLB roster in some capacity, while Allen, Cantillo, and Cecconi have an option remaining and could be sent to Triple-A Columbus if they don’t secure a rotation spot.
The addition of ortiz brings Cleveland’s projected payroll to approximately $100 million, according to RosterResource.This figure aligns with the team’s $98 million opening day payroll in 2024 and is slightly below the amount they spent by the end of the season. Despite already reaching a notable payroll threshold, the Guardians still have potential room for additional depth acquisitions after their successful 2024 campaign, which culminated in a division title and a berth in the American League championship Series.
**Analyzing Player Acquisition:** How does the signing of Jakob Junis and Luis Ortiz address specific needs within the Cleveland Guardians’ pitching staff, and how might their experience impact the team’s overall performance?
Guardians Sign Jakob Junis to One-Year Deal
The Cleveland Guardians have agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract wiht right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis, pending a physical. The deal brings versatility to the Guardians’ pitching staff and fills a need for a reliable arm in the bullpen or perhaps even as a starting pitcher.Junis, 32, has a history of pitching in both the rotation and relief roles throughout his career. Over the past two seasons, he’s primarily worked as a multi-inning reliever, posting notable numbers. In 2021, he had a 3.87 ERA with a career-high 26.2% strikeout rate across 80 innings with the San Francisco Giants.
To make room for Junis on the 40-man roster, the Guardians may place a player on the 60-day injured list, including pitchers Shane Bieber, David Fry, or Sam Hentges.
Last season, Junis signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, hoping to secure a starting role. Though, a shoulder impingement early in the season sidelined him, followed by a scary incident where he was struck in the neck by a fly ball during batting practice. Despite these setbacks, Junis ultimately returned to action in June and finished the season with the Cincinnati Reds, showing promise as a starter in the final month of the season.
The Guardians are looking to build on a successful 2022 season and Junis’ versatility and experience make him a valuable addition to their pitching staff.
Cleveland Guardians Rotation Gets Boost with Veteran Pitcher
Junis Expected to Compete For Opening day Spot
The Cleveland Guardians rotation has received a notable injection of experience with the signing of right-hander Zach Junis. Junis, a proven major league veteran with eight years of experience, is expected to compete for a spot in the starting rotation during spring training.
Despite battling injuries in 2023, Junis managed to show his value. Limited to 67 innings across stints with the Chicago cubs and St.Louis Cardinals,he posted a career-low 2.69 ERA. While his strikeout rate dipped slightly,Junis continued to impress with his command,achieving a career-low 3.2% walk rate.
Junis relies primarily on a low-80s slider and a pair of fastballs in the 91-92 MPH range. Despite some past struggles against left-handed hitters, he showed strong performance against both handedness in 2023, suggesting potential for even greater success. He will be competing for a rotation spot alongside established talent like Tanner Bibee and promising young arms Ben Lively, Gavin Williams, and Luis Ortiz.
The Guardians’ rotation is a key area of focus heading into the 2024 season. Junis’s experience and track record of success make him a valuable addition to the team’s pitching staff.
Guardians add Veteran Pitcher Luis Ortiz to Rotation Competition
The Cleveland Guardians have signed veteran right-handed pitcher Luis Ortiz to a one-year contract, bolstering their competition for the fifth starter spot. Ortiz,who has pitched in 13 major league games,will join a crowded race that includes triston McKenzie,Joey Cantillo,Slade Cecconi,and logan Allen. McKenzie is out of options and is expected to be on the MLB roster in some capacity, while Allen, Cantillo, and Cecconi have an option remaining and could be sent to Triple-A Columbus if they don’t secure a rotation spot.
The addition of Ortiz brings Cleveland’s projected payroll to approximately $100 million, according to RosterResource. This figure aligns with the team’s $98 million opening day payroll in 2024 and is slightly below the amount they spent by the end of the season. Despite already reaching a notable payroll threshold, the Guardians still have potential room for additional depth acquisitions after their successful 2024 campaign, which culminated in a division title and a berth in the American League championship Series.
Frequently Asked Questions
**Q: What position does Jakob Junis play?**
**A:** Jakob Junis is a right-handed pitcher.
**Q: What is Jakob Junis’s experience level?**
**A:** Junis is a veteran pitcher with eight years of Major League experience, having pitched for multiple teams.
**Q: What are some of Junis’s strengths as a pitcher?**
**A:** Junis is known for his versatility, having success both as a starter and reliever. He also boasts impressive command and a strong strikeout rate.
**Q: How many players are competing for a spot in the Cleveland Guardians’ starting rotation?**
**A:** Several pitchers are vying for a spot in the rotation, including Zach Junis, triston McKenzie, Joey Cantillo, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen, and Luis Ortiz.
The additions of Junis and Ortiz bring excitement to the Guardians’ pitching staff as they look to build on their success from the previous season.
