The Cleveland Guardians have long been known for their innovative approach to team building, and a recent MLB General Manager poll has confirmed what fans have suspected for a while. The poll, which asked every MLB general manager how they felt about each team's leadership group, revealed that the Guardians' strategy of promoting from within has been highly effective. With 34.1% of the vote, the Guardians were ranked as the team that hoards the most prospects, a testament to their ability to develop and nurture talent. However, this success comes with its own set of challenges. While the Guardians have produced notable stars like José Ramírez and Steven Kwan, they have also struggled to consistently develop position players. The team's last significant trade in 2016, where they dealt away four prospects for Andrew Miller, was a marginal win. Despite this, the Guardians' farm system is still highly regarded, ranking fifth for the most underrated farm system, fourth for developing pitchers, and fourth for the best use of the international market. The Guardians' approach to team building is a unique and controversial one, and it will be interesting to see how it continues to evolve in the coming years.
