Latest MLB GM poll confirms frustration Guardians fans have known for long time 

It’s no secret the Cleveland Guardians love to build from within — both on the diamond and in the executive suite. Part of that is out of necessity since the Guardians have to operate on a shoestring budget. 

But another part of that is because it’s an organization known for hiring smart people and putting said smart people in positions where they can succeed and help the team. It’s part of the reason why members of the front office seemingly get poached away every season. 

We got a tangible example of the legacy that both of things leave across MLB thanks to MLB Pipeline’s newest story that featured the results of a poll that asked every MLB general manager how they felt about each team’s leadership group. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Chris Antonetti and his team earned the most votes in response to the question “which team hoards the most prospects.”  

Cleveland received 34.1% of the vote, which was far and away the most. The Pirates were in second with just 9.1% of the vote. 

“In the previous two years, it’s been the Guardians and the Orioles at the top. Baltimore has slid down the list, though it hangs on to its core. Cleveland promotes heavily from within and has long been considered a team that would rather give its prospects a chance to make it at home rather than raid the cupboard to bring in big league talent,” Jonathan Mayo wrote in the attached write-up. 

The Guardians are among baseball’s best at building from within

The Guardians’ ranking at the top of the list is both a gift and curse. While they seemingly always have a revolving door of prospects (especially when it comes to pitchers), it also comes with its faults, particularly when it relates to the lineup. 

Although José Ramírez and Steven Kwan are great examples of organizational success stories, they’re few and far between when it comes to position players. There’s no denying that Ramírez and Kwan are great, but the path to their success is littered with plenty of Clint Frazier's and Bobby Bradley’s. 

And, to make matters worse, there are also countless instances of Guardians prospects who have blossomed elsewhere, whether it be after being designated for assignment (Erinie Clement) or in a rare trade (Junior Caminero).

The last time Cleveland’s front office went for it in a trade was in 2016 when they dealt away four prospects (including Frazier, their No. 1 prospect) for Andrew Miller.  

It’s been a lot of marginal trade sense. While most of them have been wins, they’ve been marginal nonetheless. 

It wasn’t all bad, however, as the Guardians also came in fifth in the ranking for the most underrated farm system, the fourth in the ranking for the best at developing pitchers and a tie for fourth in the ranking for the best use of the international market. 

Even though the Guardians’ farm system isn’t perfect, they have a clear framework in mind. It may never give them a lineup filled with boppers, but it’s helped turn them into a consistent contender.