Guardians Ranked Low on ESPN's 'Watchability Index' in 2025

He created an original formula stacking 10-point criteria "star power" and "young talent" with five-point criteria, "baserunning," "defense," and "minutiae." He even added a bonus for certain aspects that could range from fun to pity.

Ranking 24th, only ahead of the Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Angels, are the Cleveland Guardians.

Here is his justification:

Star power: 4 | Young talent: 4 | Baserunning: 2 | Defense: 2.5 | Minutiae: 1

Bonus (2): +1 for the spicy stadium mustard, +1 for longest World Series title drought

I'm not trying to insult a team that reached the American League Championship Series last season, but the primary highlights are the great Jose Ramirez and a bullpen that was one of the best of all time. But ... bullpens. We love you, we love you not, but we don't really tune in to watch relievers.

Steven Kwan is an entertaining, scrappy player who puts the ball in play and covers everything in left field. Kyle Manzardo, Brayan Rocchio, and Jhonkensy "Big Christmas" Noel fit into the young category, but the more intriguing young players are prospects Travis Bazzana and outfielder Chase DeLauter, two guys we could see in the second half. (DeLauter will have to bounce back quickly from core muscle surgery in March.)

Fine, the Guardians are not as sexy of a watch as those big-spending coastal elite teams but 24th?

If you don't love a great bullpen, there's not much more to talk about. Sure, having a volatile bullpen creates intrigue and will make sure you never leave your seat at the risk of missing a nuclear meltdown. But having an elite bullpen is a severely underrated part of the game! Ninth inning, heart of the order coming up, and the closer comes in with lights flashing, music blasting, and the entire crown on its feet?

The Guardians are more exciting than Schoenfield gives them credit, that's for sure.