The Cleveland Guardians continue to sort through key decisions as Opening Day approaches, but one player’s selflessness is standing out.
Manager Stephen Vogt recently spoke about Steven Kwan and his willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team win, even if that means stepping into a different role defensively.
“He wants to win. Kwany wants to win,” Vogt said. “There’s an element to this, that if he plays center field, it’s good for him too.”
"Kwany is a selfless teammate, he wants to win"
Not many 4x Gold Glove winners would be willing to change their position, but #Guardians manager Stephen Vogt commends Steven Kwan for his willingness to play center#GuardsBall @WEWS pic.twitter.com/DxJJachWh8
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) March 22, 2026
A four-time Gold Glove winner, Kwan has built his reputation as one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball. Players with that level of accomplishment are not always eager to change positions, particularly when they have already excelled in their current role.
But that has not been the case here.
“The move was largely driven by, ‘if I need to move to center field to field the best team possible, I’m willing to do it.’ Kwany’s a selfless teammate,” Vogt added.
The Guardians are still working through their outfield alignment, especially with injuries and roster decisions creating some uncertainty heading into the season. Having a player like Kwan who can shift positions provides added flexibility and opens up more lineup possibilities.
“When he plays a great center field, it’s going to make our team a lot better,” Vogt said.
As the Guardians finalize their Opening Day group, difficult decisions are being made across the board. Players competing for roles, adjusting positions, or accepting different responsibilities will ultimately shape how the team performs early in the season.
Having a leader willing to adapt sends a strong message.
And as Cleveland looks to put its best possible team on the field, that kind of selflessness could end up being just as valuable as any statistic.
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