The Cleveland Guardians made MLB history this season.
They became the first team to overcome a 15.5-game deficit to win a division title, and they trailed by as many as 11 games in September.
However, as good as they were to close out the year, they were never a force at the plate.
If anything, they may have benefited from a forgiving schedule.
That’s why, after watching them fall short in the playoffs and struggle to get much going when it mattered the most, Bradford Doolittle of ESPN recently raised a major concern.
“The crucial question the Guardians have to answer is: What will this group do to lift the offensive profile of a lineup led by Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan? The Guardians won a division title despite scoring more runs than just two other teams. That’s not a sustainable formula,” Doolittle wrote.
The Guardians relied heavily on good defense and pitching to overtake the Detroit Tigers and win the AL Central, yet they were eliminated by them in the AL Wild Card round.
Under manager Stephen Vogt, they proved to be mentally strong enough to overcome most adversities.
Then again, that only gets a team so far, and you need to score runs to find real success.
The Guardians rallied behind their talented rookie hitters down the stretch, and they should each play a big part in what they do going forward, as they need to get as many at-bats as possible.
Yet, it takes much more than just talent.
The Guardians need proven hitters to get to the next level and make the most of Ramirez’s prime.
Whether they will be willing to spend what it takes remains to be seen.
NEXT: Guardians Eye Intriguing Prospects in 2026 International Class
