What should the Guardians do with Steven Kwan in the offseason?

Just a few weeks ago, it seemed like Steven Kwan was as good as gone at the trade deadline.

Fast forward to the late stages of August and he's still in Cleveland helping the Guardians put together a valiant push toward a spot in the postseason.

Kwan has established himself as one of the American League's most reliable defenders thanks to his combination of speed and athleticism in left field, while his elite contact skills at the plate have made him one of the games peskiest hitters.

In other words, he's the exact type of player the Guardians should keep, not move on from.

While Kwan has been a staple in Cleveland's lineup since he made his debut in 2022, his future with the franchise still remains uncertain. In a perfect word, that future features plenty of years with him playing behind José Ramírez, but the situation doesn't seem to be that simple.

What should the Guardians do with Steven Kwan in the offseason?

So, with all the rumors swirling, should the Guardians try to move the 27-year-old in the offseason?

The short answer is no.

Kwan is still under control by the team for two more seasons, and is the team's most reliable player outside of Ramírez.

He's been a staple at the top of Cleveland's lineup, and has proven his worth in the field with three Gold Glove wins.

Kwan's slashed .284/.355/.396 for his career, and has been worth 16.1 bWAR across those four seasons. Those are the kind of numbers you get from a franchise cornerstone.

He's also been incredibly durable. While Injuries have occurred, he's been able to stay on the field while making an impact on the field and in the basepaths.

He has 63 bases on 78 attempts throughout his career, and has recorded at least 12 stolen bases in every season of his career.

Even through the Guardians have had plenty of ups and downs since Kwan joined the major league roster, his leadership and loyalty hasn't wavered.

Kwan's loyalty is something that is a big lacking in today's baseball mentality. This season was his first time seeing his time in trade deadline rumors, and he handled it with the grace of a 10-year veteran.

Unless the Guardians want to tear down their roster and start from scratch, any potential trade return wouldn't make up for the value that he brings to the team, city and dugout on a daily basis.

As the offseason approaches, the Guardians' front office needs to make a decision toward what they want in both their short- and-long-term future.

The Guardians came tantalizingly close to making the World Series last year, and this year they're on the brink of not making the playoffs, which has led to the fanbase asking some much-needed questions.

If the Guardians want to be a legitimate postseason contenders for the coming years, they shouldn't move on from Steven Kwan. Instead, they should sit down with Kwan in the spring and ink him to an extension that keeps him in Cleveland for years to come.