Where Do Guardians Land in Offseason MLB Power Rankings?

The Cleveland Guardians had a successful season in 2026, with the team reaching the American League Championship Series.

While the team couldn't get over the hump to reach the World Series, the Guardians still had a good year all around. But the ending to the season will leave a sour taste in the mouth of both the fans and the players.

Cleveland held a 2-1 series lead in the ALCS over the Tampa Bay Rays, with the next two games being played at home. The Guardians then proceeded to drop both games, finally losing to Tampa Bay in six games.

And as the Guardians walked off the field, there are now real questions about how the team will look next season. While Cleveland has a nice core of players on the roster, the front office has tended to make major decisions following postseason exits.

In the first MLB power ranking following the World Series, the Guardians did come in ranked in the top 10. MLB analyst Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report had Cleveland ranked at No. 9 on the list, showing strong faith in this team going forward.

Cleveland will likely bank on the continued success of both Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana going forward, giving the team a boost. Both players added a lot to the Guardians' offense this past season, and if they can keep developing, it could give the team more firepower to work with.

The pitching staff is still pretty strong, with ace Gavin Williams leading the way for this team. But rookie starter Parker Messick also gives them a lot of confidence moving forward, with him posting a 2.56 ERA over 32 starts for the organization this year.

However, the big questions for the team are what they will do with outfielders Steven Kwan and Jo Adell for next season. Kwan has been subject to trade rumors for a while now, and this could be the offseason that Cleveland finally moves him.

But the Guardians could also bring everyone back for another run at a World Series title, and this is the path that most fans would prefer. The Guardians have a solid core in place, and a few additions could take this team over the top.

If Cleveland does this, they could have a good shot at going after a title next season, especially with the AL weaker this past year. Overall, the Guardians are in a good spot entering the offseason, but the front office will need to make sure to not make any drastic changes to the roster, other than adding more talent.