The next big move for the Cleveland Guardians is glaringly obvious

This offseason has been an exercise in frustration for fans of the Cleveland Guardians. There has been a lack of aggressiveness by the front office that would help this team in the long and short terms, and that has resulted in a less than enthusiastic feeling about the future of the team among the fanbase. But there is a way to change all of that, and all it takes is one move that has become incredibly obvious. Signing Steven Kwan to a long-term contract extension.

Kwan is one of Cleveland's cornerstone players and has quickly become one of the best outfielders in baseball. The front office must find a way to ensure that he remains in town for the long haul, which must be one of their biggest priorities. This would not only show that the Guardians value one of their best players in Kwan, but it would also show they are serious about putting the best possible team on the field (even though some of their offseason activity does not look like it).

There must be a sense of urgency here. Kwan has shown signs of progressing beyond just being a singles hitter. The 27-year-old hit a career-high 14 home runs last season, his first time hitting double-digit dingers. Kwan could have easily eclipsed the 20-home run barrier had he been able to stay healthy and not miss a sizeable chunk of the season. It would not be surprising to see Kwan hit 20 or more home runs in 2025 as long as he can stay healthy, as he has shown there is more power in his hitting profile now than when he made his MLB Debut back in 2022.

The biggest obstacle to this would be Kwan knowing that he is only increasing his value and that signing an extension before reaching free agency could end up costing him a large amount of money. On the other hand, Kwan not having to worry about an injury costing him financial compensation before becoming a free agent might be too good to pass up. If the Guardians can find an agreeable midpoint between what they feel comfortable offering and what Kwan could get on the free agent market, it could result in the contract extension that everyone wants to happen to actually come to fruition.