The Cleveland Guardians went 76-86 in 2023.
Very few people had the team making the postseason, let alone making a deep run in the playoffs and finishing among the four best teams in the league.
Yet here we are, a few hours after the Guardians have been eliminated in the American League Championship Series, reflecting on what was a highly successful year for the organization.
No one gave a dime for them.
Now, the Guardians have everyone excited about the future.
They turned around public perception with hard work, baseball knowledge, creativity, and trust in one another.
It all comes down to one word, according to Guardians insider Zack Meisel: resilience.
“The Guardians insisted everyone outside of their clubhouse was wrong about them. And then they made a run to ALCS to back it up. Their resilience is what fueled this season, writes @ZackMeisel. It’s what has Cleveland declaring it will be back,” he posted on X.
The Guardians insisted everyone outside of their clubhouse was wrong about them.
And then they made a run to ALCS to back it up.
Their resilience is what fueled this season, writes @ZackMeisel.
It’s what has Cleveland declaring it will be back.https://t.co/BgG8HEsqhi pic.twitter.com/QhYmWghTE5
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) October 20, 2024
You can be sure of one thing: the Guardians will be back.
They have an amazing young core of hitters and pitchers to support team star Jose Ramirez, and they have the best bullpen in baseball to build around.
All they need is a couple of complementary pieces on offense and, above all things, quality and reliable starters.
They made it this far without Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie, their two best starters entering the season, for different circumstances.
They also lost Logan Allen and Xzavion Curry along the way.
But their excellent player development staff helped them bring in Joey Cantillo, Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and a full army of top relievers in the last two seasons, not to mention get the best out of veterans like Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb.
This team is good enough to return to the playoffs as currently constructed.
Add in two quality starters, and they might go all the way.
NEXT: Matthew Boyd Gets Honest About Guardians' Season
