Steven Kwan's contract revelation puts pressure on Guardians to strike ASAP

Four years ago, Steven Kwan went from an unknown to a household name in the matter of weeks thanks to an incredible rookie season that ended with him winning a Gold Glove and hitting leadoff against the Yankees in the postseason. 

But he’s not sneaking up on anyone anymore, as he’s turned in three more Gold Glove seasons since along with recording two All-Star nods. 

But those accolades have also increased his profile and price tag, which are two factors that have made Kwan a mainstay in trade rumors for the better part of the past year. 

And it seems like those rumors won’t be going anywhere soon, as he confirmed to The Athletic’s Zack Mesiel that he didn’t have any conversations with Cleveland’s front office about an extension during the spring.  

While that news isn’t incredibly surprising considering there hadn’t been any kind of reporting or rumors about conversations between the two parties during the spring, it’s still a sobering reminder that Kwan seems destined to follow the path of countless other homegrown Guardians who go on to sign a second contract elsewhere.

Although Kwan still has two more years of team control remaining, everyday that goes by without an extension in place brings us a day closer to his eventual departure. And the best (and only) way for the Guardians to make sure that day doesn’t happen for a long time is to sign Kwan to a much-needed extension. 

It’s time for the Guardians to ink Steven Kwan to a long-term extension 

Mesiel added that went on the record to say that he’d prefer to stay in Cleveland for the long-term, but that decision may be out of his control depending on what the Guardians’ front office decides to do with his remaining years of team control. 

While Kwan earned an All-Star nod last season, he finished the year with an OPS+ under 100 and hit .254 in the second half after hitting .285 in the first half. 

That said, Kwan confirmed that part of the reason for that dip last season was because of a wrist injury that he suffered right around the All-Star break.

He also said he spent the winter working on his power, which means that some of his customary singles could result in extra-base hits to the gap or the bleachers. 

Kwan also has one of the best eyes in the game and stands out as one of the league’s top veteran options who could benefit from the implementation of the new Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System. 

Last year the Guardians’ asking price for Kwan started with one premium prospect, and the front office stuck to their guns at the trade deadline and the Winter Meetings. 

It’s hard to believe that’s changed, especially since he could play a lot of center field in 2026, which would increase his trade value.

But the Guardians have an easy way to make all this a moot point by signing Kwan to a long-term extension.