Royals Sign Means, Acquire Spence in Trade for Pitching Depth

The Kansas City Royals bolstered their pitching depth this week with two strategic additions, announcing on Friday the signing of veteran left-hander John Means to a two-year minor league contract and the acquisition of right-hander Mitch Spence from the Oakland Athletics in a trade.

Means, a 32-year-old Kansas native who attended Gardner Edgerton High School, brings a wealth of experience despite a history of injuries. The former Baltimore Orioles All-Star made his mark in 2019, his rookie season, when he earned a spot on the American League All-Star team and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting. He threw a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners in 2021, coming within one wild pitch of a perfect game. Over his career with the Orioles, Means posted a 3.68 earned-run average and a 1.05 walks-plus-hits-per-inning-pitch ratio in 78 appearances, including 73 starts. However, his progress has been hampered by multiple surgeries, including Tommy John procedures in April 2022 and June 2024, limiting him to no more than four starts in a season since 2021. He spent 2025 in the Cleveland Guardians' minor league system, making seven rehab appearances but never reaching the majors....