The sting of the American League Championship Series loss is still fresh for the Cleveland Guardians, but at least one longtime observer believes brighter days are coming. Cleveland fell to the Tampa Bay Rays in six games, and cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes did not shy away from the fact that the Guardians were outplayed in nearly every area of the series. Even so, he came away convinced that this franchise is closer than ever to ending its long championship drought. Hoynes pointed to a young core that gained valuable experience this October and a group of established players who are still in their prime. He asked whether it is a stretch to think the Guardians are moving closer to their first World Series trip since 2016, “but also perhaps winning it.”
“Is it a stretch to believe the Guardians are inching closer to not only the World Series for the first time since 2016, but also perhaps winning it? Messick learned so much this year and he’ll be ready for next October. Williams is a Cy Young candidate right now. DeLauter, Bazzana, Martinez, Halpin and Angel Genao had their moments. They have some oxymoron players — young veterans — as well in Bailey, David Fry, Rocchio and Adell, who is still under contract through 2027,” Hoynes wrote.
Hoynes started with the rotation. He wrote that Parker Messick learned a great deal this year and will be ready for next October, and he called Gavin Williams a Cy Young candidate right now. He then highlighted a group of young position players who all had their moments, including Chase DeLauter, Travis Bazzana, Angel Martínez, Petey Halpin and Angel Genao. Hoynes also pointed to what he described as young veterans in Patrick Bailey, David Fry, Brayan Rocchio and Jo Adell, noting that Adell is under contract through 2027.
There is plenty of evidence to support his optimism. Williams led the American League with 248 strikeouts and was dominant in October, going 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA. His 44 strikeouts through his first five career postseason starts trail only Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson. Messick made the All-Star team as a rookie and posted a 2.56 ERA during the regular season, though he wore down late after throwing about 70 more innings than ever before.
The young hitters delivered, too. DeLauter set a franchise record for hits by a rookie in a single postseason.
The supporting cast gives Cleveland a strong foundation as well. Bailey hit two of the biggest home runs of the postseason, Rocchio ranked among the most valuable shortstops in baseball this year thanks to vastly improved defense, and Adell gave the lineup much-needed power after arriving at the trade deadline.
Not everyone shares that confidence, of course. Many believe the team needs more after reaching the ALCS with a payroll of roughly $75 million. The offense still needs more power, and questions surround Steven Kwan’s future and Stephen Vogt’s reported interest from the Mariners.
Still, Hoynes has a point. Cleveland has won three straight division titles and just came within two wins of the World Series with one of the youngest cores in baseball. If that group keeps developing and the front office adds the right pieces, the Guardians may not have to wait much longer for another shot at ending a drought that now stands at 78 years.
NEXT: Insider Raises Big Questions About The Guardians’ 2027 Offseason
