The Cleveland Guardians have traditionally been low spenders under their current ownership.
That is no secret to anybody: year after year, they run low payrolls.
However, more often than not, they are still competitive because they excel at other aspects of team building: scouting, developing talent, and executing trades, just to name a few.
It’s important to point out, however, that the rest of the AL Central is starting to spend more and more.
Yes, a team can be competitive without spending too much money, but things get harder when almost the entire division is committed to winning.
Here are the current payrolls for the 2024 season in the AL Central.
“AL Central’s current payrolls, per @fangraphs: $151M — White Sox, $123M — Twins, $115M — Royals, $108M — Tigers, $96M — Guardians. They rank #15, #20, #21, #22, and #28 out of 30 teams. AL Central’s average payroll is $119 million, which would rank #21 out of the actual 30 teams,” Twins insider Aaron Gleeman tweeted.
AL Central's current payrolls, per @fangraphs:
$151M — White Sox
$123M — Twins
$115M — Royals
$108M — Tigers
$96M — GuardiansThey rank #15, #20, #21, #22, and #28 out of 30 teams.
AL Central's average payroll is $119 million, which would rank #21 out of the actual 30 teams.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) February 6, 2024
The largest payroll of the bunch, the Chicago White Sox, is tied to the worst roster in the division.
That doesn’t happen often, but the White Sox seem destined for last place in the Central and are a mess at the moment.
After that, the Twins have the look of the favorites to take the Central, just like it happened last year, with their $123 million payroll.
The Royals went on a spending spree this offseason and are looking competitive, at last, and the Tigers are also dangerous.
Truth be told, the Guardians are not that far from the pack with their $96 million payroll.
They just need to add an accomplished power hitter or two to support their bid for a playoff spot this campaign.
Will they be able to do that?
NEXT: Young Guardians Star Joins A Noble Cause
