The Cleveland Guardians entered this season with high hopes and expectations.
They wanted to replicate their success from last season.
Unfortunately, their offensive struggles have been too much to overlook.
Nevertheless, as much as the team has struggled this season, they’re not that far off from being a contender.
That’s why team analyst Matt Fontana doesn’t want to see them move on from Emmanuel Clase and Steven Kwan.
In the latest edition of his show, he stated that he would rather watch the team give up on their prospects to land MLB-ready players.
He doesn’t think the team is as far behind from contending as the fans might feel right now:
“What is the only thing contending teams ever give up? Prospects. I’m done. I don’t need them. They don’t even call up the prospects that we already have. The final point, which is the one I’m most adamant about why you don’t trade Emmanuel Clase—this team can compete next year. I know you don’t want to believe that. I know you’re probably down on the Guards right now with how they’ve been playing, but they are really only two moves away from being a contending playoff team again as long as Emmanuel Clase is here. Same thing with Steven Kwan. I’m not trading Steven Kwan,” Fontana said.
"This team can compete next year … they are really only two moves away from being a contending playoff team again."
–@MattFontana83 on why he doesn't want to see Clase and Kwan moved
Presented by @pureavNEO https://t.co/dk7tO9OmFs pic.twitter.com/kaWflZtd6I
— Matt Fontana Show (@MattFontanaShow) July 12, 2025
Clase hasn’t been as good as he was in prior years, so it’s easy to understand why the team might be tempted to move on from him while his trade value is still high.
Even so, that’s not the type of move that screams ‘contention.’
As for Kwan, there’s no logical reason to give up on him.
He’s under team control for years and on a team-friendly contract.
Granted, he’s due for a big raise when he becomes eligible for arbitration, but he will most likely be worth every penny, and that’s a bridge the team should look to cross once they get there.
Things don’t look good right now, and to say that this has been a disappointing campaign would be a big understatement.
Still, it’s not time to throw in the towel.
NEXT: Rumored Guardians OF Prospect Draws Comparison To Steven Kwan
