MLB's offseason is here and the Cleveland Guardians have pivotal roster decisions this week that will impact their 2026 season. Should they gamble $6 million on John Means despite his troubling return from Tommy John surgery?Justin Lada and Jeff Ellis break down the Guardians' critical off-season timeline, including the Means option deadline, Rule 5 draft protections, and non-tender decisions. The discussion examines manager Stephen Vogt's expected contract extension and how his $4 million salary compares to MLB's highest-paid skippers like Dave Roberts and Craig Counsell. The show analyzes Steven Kwan's fourth consecutive Gold Glove and its arbitration impact, then provide extensive statistical analysis of Kenny Lofton's controversial exclusion from the Baseball Hall of Fame contemporary ballot. Using Baseball Reference WAR comparisons, they debate whether Lofton's 68.4 career WAR merits enshrinement alongside contemporaries like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens in an era dominated by power hitters.

0:00 Intro

2:39 November Decision Days for Guardians

3:57 John Means $6M Option Decision

9:47 Comparing Means to Free Agent Market

13:51 Stephen Vogt Extension and Manager Salaries

17:27 Should Vogt Be Paid More Than Boone?

20:33 Steven Kwan's Gold Glove Impact on Arbitration

23:12 Kenny Lofton Snubbed from Hall of Fame

27:19 Comparing Hall of Fame Candidates by WAR

33:37 Tomorrow's Show: Outfield Free Agent Market

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