Don’t expect any Cleveland Guardians to win any major postseason awards

The Cleveland Guardians really haven’t earned any postseason awards.

At various points this season the Cleveland Guardians have had candidates in each of the major player awards; MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year. Jose Ramirez was an obvious MVP candidate for the AL, while Cal Quantrill and Triston McKenzie were looking like they were about to duel it out for the Cy Young and Steven Kwan was a favorite for the Rookie of the Year.

Kwan still has an outside shot, but don’t bet on him. As for the others? Nope. They’re done. The Guardians recent skid really highlighted a lot of the issues with this team, namely the lack of punching power, and due to that the team really lost some of their mystique.

A team’s mystique is what drives a lot of voters. When all the stats look alike, you start looking for the variables. Clutch hitting, the aura the player has, past reputation, etc. The Guardians lost all of that potential goodwill with this skid and it’s unlikely that guys like Rarmeiz, Quantrill, or McKenzie will even make the Top 5 in their respective voting categories.

Moreover for Kwan, getting trounced by the team who has the Rookie of the Year front runner certainly didn’t help your reputation and aura heading into the final stretch of the season. Team success shouldn’t matter in these awards, but it often does.

Knowing your squad got bounced by the front-runner is going to be a sticking point for many voters.

For Ramirez, his thumb injury has really derailed his season, and that is a big reason that his potential record-breaking season tapered off. Quantrill and McKenzie on the other hand just got tired down the stretch. They’re young, it happens. It’s part of the reason they went from genuine AL Cy Young candidates to not.

The Cleveland Guardians may not miss out on all the awards, however

Now, when I say postseason awards, I’m talking about the big three. What I’m not talking about however is the Manager of the Year, the Silver Slugger, or Gold Glove awards that are also handed out.

I am firmly in the camp that the Guards could have a few Silver Slugger guys (at least one) and I firmly believe the team will have at least two Gold Glovers.

As for Manager of the Year?

If the Guardians make the playoffs, then how can you deny Terry Francona that award?