Though a World Series championship remains elusive, the Cleveland Guardians have been one of the best teams in baseball the past several years. They continue to develop players at a very successful rate, and they have employed some of the top managers in the game.
Their fans may at times grow frustrated by a lack of spending that causes some players to leave and doesn’t create a big-name addition that could put them over the top. However, it’s hard to argue with the results, as the team remains a playoff contender year after year.
A stat shows how the Guardians have dominated the AL Central this decade.
“AL Central Winner: 2025 – Cleveland Guardians, 2024 – Cleveland Guardians, 2023 – Minnesota Twins, 2022 – Cleveland Guardians, 2021 – Chicago White Sox, 2020 – Minnesota Twins, 2019 – Minnesota Twins, 2018 – Cleveland Guardians, 2017 – Cleveland Guardians, 2016 – Cleveland Guardians,” Sleeper MLB posted on X.
AL Central Winner:
2025 – Cleveland Guardians
2024 – Cleveland Guardians
2023 – Minnesota Twins
2022 – Cleveland Guardians
2021 – Chicago White Sox
2020 – Minnesota Twins
2019 – Minnesota Twins
2018 – Cleveland Guardians
2017 – Cleveland Guardians
2016 – Cleveland Guardians pic.twitter.com/MLhBrUaD1n— SleeperMLB (@SleeperMLB) December 26, 2025
The first four of the division titles on that list were won under legendary manager Terry Francona. The Guardians made it to the World Series in 2016 but lost Game 7 to the Chicago Cubs.
Cleveland did not miss a beat when Stephen Vogt replaced Francona as manager for the 2024 season. That year, the Guardians made it to the ALCS, where they lost to the New York Yankees.
Last season’s division crown may have been the most impressive of them all. Despite falling behind by as many as 15.5 games, and still trailing by 11 games in September, the Guardians passed the Detroit Tigers and made history by overcoming the largest deficit to ever win an MLB division.
Heading into 2026, the Guardians have an up-and-coming pitching staff and several prospects ready to bolster the lineup. With Vogt still in charge, and All-Star Jose Ramirez leading the way, the Guardians should again be a threat to win the AL Central.
With such a string of success, it’s hopefully only a matter of time before a World Series title follows.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Reveals Key To His Managerial Success
