The Cleveland Guardians might not be a big market team.
They might not be big spenders in free agency, either.
But you can’t deny that they are excellent at promoting growth from within: they are excellent at maximizing the value of every dollar.
No, they won’t outbid anyone on a free agent looking for nine figures, but they prepare and execute an excellent draft strategy, they are great at scouting, and few organizations develop pitching as well as they do.
Perhaps most importantly, they believe in sustainability and recognize that processes require time and patience.
The Guardians have a lot of respect for a process when they start one, and are willing to allocate every resource available to finding success.
You can see this by the small number of managers they have had in the last 10 years.
how many different managers each team has had the past 10 years pic.twitter.com/UOZIKKzDYA
— BrooksGate (@Brooks_Gate) January 16, 2025
Basically, there is only one team with fewer different managers in the last ten years: the Tampa Bay Rays, a similarly successful small-market team, with Kevin Cash.
The Guardians hired Terry Francona in 2013 and he managed the team until 2023.
During that time, the Guardians made the postseason six times and went to the 2016 World Series, where they were one win shy of lifting the trophy.
It was arguably the most successful period in franchise history, and it only ended because Francona wanted to step aside.
We would have to go a while back to find the last time Cleveland fired a manager.
Stephen Vogt took over in place of Francona, won the AL Central, and reached the American League Championship Series in his debut season last year.
It looks like this is also going to be a long, fruitful process leading the Guardians; at least that’s the impression at this moment.
He has earned a long leash.
For Cleveland, that won’t be a problem because they believe in him.
NEXT: Guardians Reveal Complete 2025 Schedule
