The Cleveland Guardians thought they had the perfect plan in place regarding their outfield for the 2026 season. Gold Glove left fielder Steven Kwan was willing to move to center field to ease the transition for the younger outfielders who would be joining him, rookie Chase DeLauter, in particular.
A two-time All-Star who is one of the better leadoff hitters in the game, Kwan would continue to provide his usual level of offense while the organization tried to sort out his long-term future. Unfortunately, that component has not gone according to plan, and it has the Guardians facing some criticism for not getting what they could in a trade for Kwan when they had the chance.
That is why Bleacher Report analyst Kerry Miller has named Kwan as the one player the Guardians desperately need to break out, to help the team now and reestablish his market value for later.
“Cleveland could have gotten a decent haul for Kwan at last year’s trade deadline, or probably at any point during the offseason. But whether it’s just a slow start or maybe a byproduct of bouncing back and forth between center and left this year after being pretty much cemented in left field prior to 2026, Kwan hasn’t been anything close to the same reliable weapon on offense, flirting with the Mendoza Line while also slugging 125 points below his career norm,” Miller wrote.
Kwan went 1-for-3 in a sweep-clinching victory against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. The hit was his first in his past 12 at-bats, part of his latest slump that has his batting average at .206 for the season. In Kwan’s four previous seasons, he has never hit lower than .268.
Because he may be pressing to turn things around, his numbers across the board would be career lows. He has a .311 on-base percentage and a woeful .265 slugging percentage.
Despite a vote of confidence from manager Stephen Vogt, this is troublesome for both Kwan and the Guardians. The 28-year-old has been seeking a contract extension for more than a year, but Cleveland has not been willing to give him one as he remains under club control through next season. However, the Guardians also haven’t been willing to trade him, even though he has generated interest in the past two offseasons and at last year’s deadline.
This slow start also comes on the heels of a decline in the second half of last season, although Kwan did pick up his production during the pennant race in September. So, if Kwan’s best days are behind him, it would limit what he can get in a new contract or the return the Guardians could land in a trade.
It has also sparked some talk of rookie second baseman Travis Bazzana moving into the leadoff spot, which the Guardians may want to avoid until the recent rookie callup gets some more experience.
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