The Cleveland Guardians have a legitimate star in the outfield.
Steven Kwan has established himself not only as a fan favorite but also as one of the best players in the game.
That’s why it’s not a surprise to see him among the favorites to win a Gold Glove again this season.
According to Jared Greenspan and Jason Foster of MLB.com, Kwan is on track to win the award for a fourth year in a row.
“Kwan is hoping to become the first Cleveland player to win four straight Gold Gloves since Omar Vizquel won eight straight from 1994-2001. And he’s in a pretty good position to do so. Kwan has posted a plus-9 Fielding Run Value — leading all left fielders — and he’s consistently made opposing baserunners look foolish, with an MLB-best 12 outfield assists,” per Greenspan and Foster.
Kwan was the subject of trade rumors almost all season leading up to the deadline.
Multiple teams reportedly reached out to the Guardians about the All-Star’s availability, and that may have taken a toll on his production, as he wasn’t the same solid hitter as he had been.
Fortunately, the organization shut down all inquiries about him.
Yet, that doesn’t mean he’s a lock to be in Cleveland for the long run.
Though he is under team control for the next two seasons, he could be a trade candidate again this offseason, depending on his contract extension negotiations.
The Guardians are known for parting with their players once they hit arbitration or become a little more expensive than they’d want, so moving on from Kwan would certainly align with the way they operate.
Then again, he’s talked about wanting to stay, and he’s earned the right to make a salary that reflects his impact on the field.
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