ESPN’s newest set of way-too-early power rankings points to a familiar answer in the AL Central: if the Guardians are going to have company in 2027, it may come from Detroit again.
David Schoenfield slotted Cleveland at No. 8 in his latest rankings, one spot behind the Tigers at No. 7. That’s a notable call considering the Guardians won the division in 2025 after a huge September rally, while Detroit finished fourth in the AL Central in 2026 with a 76-86 record.
On paper, that gap might seem strange. Cleveland just took the crown, and the Tigers were the club that stumbled to fourth place. But Schoenfield clearly sees Detroit’s long-term arrow pointing up after a season that was helped by a strong trade deadline and a roster loaded with young talent.
That youth is doing a lot of the heavy lifting in the Tigers’ case. Schoenfield highlighted Rookie of the Year favorite Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark already being on the big-league roster, while also pointing to Zyhir Hope and River Ryan as potential contributors after arriving in the Tarik Skubal trade. Ryan, in particular, could wind up being a key piece if Detroit is trying to avoid the pitching fade it ran into late in the season.
The offense also looks promising, at least in terms of run production. The Tigers posted a +78 run differential, but Schoenfield noted they’ll need Riley Greene to stay on the field after he missed time in 2026 with a hamstring strain.
Cleveland’s outlook in the rankings comes with its own dose of optimism, and once again, it starts with younger players. Schoenfield believes Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana can keep moving forward after showing flashes in 2026. He also expects the Guardians’ offense to get a boost from a full season of Jo Adell.
That last part is where the debate starts. Adell showed enough over the final two months to hint at real middle-of-the-order value, but he also showed why his $10 million-a-year price tag still comes with questions.
Schoenfield’s broader view suggests the top of the division could settle into a two-team race, with the White Sox down at No. 13, the Twins at No. 19 and the Royals at No. 25.
In Other News...
Guardians Legal Saga Could Now Pull In Familiar Names
The federal trial involving Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz is shaping up to reach well beyond the two pitchers at the center of the allegations. Court documents indicate that several familiar baseball names could be called to testify, including Guardians general manager Mike Chernoff, assistant general manager Matt Forman, pitching coach Carl Willis and catchers Austin Hedges, Mike Zunino and Bo Naylor, a list that underscores how deeply the case could touch the organization.
At issue are allegations that Clase and Ortiz manipulated pitches to benefit bettors, charges both pitchers have denied by pleading not guilty. MLBs investigation is still ongoing, and the possibility of testimony from team executives, coaches and catchers gives the case a wider reach than a typical courtroom dispute, with the Guardians now waiting to see how much of their day-to-day baseball operation gets pulled into the proceedings. [Read more 🡒]
3 Guardians From 2026 Fans Probably Already Forgot Played Here
The 2026 Guardians cycled through a deep group of arms and position players over the course of a season that saw 48 different names take the field, and a few of those stopovers barely registered by the time the roster kept moving. Kolby Allard was one of the more fleeting additions, getting into four games before his run in Cleveland ended, while Stuart Fairchild logged a little longer stay with 14 appearances before the club moved on.
Hernndezs brief return may have carried the most emotional weight, given his comeback to the majors after a serious car accident, but his time with the Guardians was short as well. He made only two appearances before being designated for assignment and sent to the minors, another reminder of how quickly a season can turn over even for players who briefly seem like part of the picture. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Pitching Duo Just Earned Recognition For Clevelands October Run
Gavin Williams and Cade Smith turned Clevelands October into a showcase for the kind of pitching that travels in the postseason. MLB named both Guardians arms to its All-Postseason team, a fitting nod after Williams and Smith helped carry the staff through the 2026 playoffs with the kind of swing-and-miss stuff that can change a series in a hurry.
Williams was the headliner, leading all postseason pitchers with 33 strikeouts while working to a 2.30 ERA over 15.2 innings. Smith did his part out of the bullpen, posting a 2.38 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 11.1 innings, and together they gave Cleveland a pair of arms that opponents had to account for every night. [Read more 🡒]