It’s nice that Steven Kwan is still a Guardian. Will he be one in 2026? Should he be one?
Kwan put up another 3.2 fWAR season in 2026 with a 99 wRC+ and another gold glove-worthy season in left field. From Opening Day until May 31st, Kwan had a 131 wRC+, but he finished with a 81 wRC+ from June-September. Pretty clearly, Kwan’s wrist injury, which occurred on May 27th during a stolen base attempt, hurt his ability to produce at the plate for the rest of the season. Presumably, it was something that
wouldn’t improve with surgery, and some combination of the team and the player decided that he was too valuable to give it a lengthy stint on the injured list in an attempt to help it recover.
I think that decision is honestly my biggest question for the Guardians on 2025. This is not the first time we have seen the team let a star play through a nagging injury instead of trying to give them an injured list rest to help them get right. I think it’s fair to wonder if the team would have made the playoffs without Kwan’s defense in left and even his 20% below average run production from June-September. But, at the same time, if Kwan would have received a month of rest in June, it’s hard to imagine the Guardians would have been worse than 9-16. He was part of the team’s 10 game losing streak and he put up a 40 wRC+ in August. I would love to be able to go back and see what Kwan’s wrist might have enabled him to do in August and September if the team had given him a length IL stint in June and July. They would also likely have a lot more evaluation time in for C.J. Kayfus and maybe even Petey Halpin during that time off.
As it is, Kwan saw a significant decline in walk rate (almost 2%) and put up only a 65 wRC+ against LHP. His hard-hit rate declined by about 4%. But, again, I just don’t see any reason to suspect that these issues are mostly related to a barky risk. Until this season, Kwan had a 105 wRC+ vs. LHP which is more than playable for a full-time outfielder. He needs to find a way to alleviate his lefty issues of 2025 for the team’s sake and his.
A lot was made about Kwan’s speed decline, but he was able to reach his peak sprint speed when needed, both when on defense or when on the bases. His stolen base total increased to 21 in 2025 from 12 in 2024. And, on defense, he had 22 Defensive Runs Saved and 5 Outs Above Average. I’m not sure when people will stop trying to run on Kwan, but I hope it’s no time soon, because I enjoy seeing him play caroms perfectly and surgically eliminate would-be advancers over and over again.
Perhaps the biggest moment of Kwan’s season was the flurry of rumors regarding his availability in a trade in July. There were moments where it seemed like a Guardians’ team who had floundered through June and most of July would deal their all-star left fielder. But, the front office dealt Shane Bieber and held Kwan, perhaps partially to appease their franchise star Jose Ramirez who was rumored to be upset by the idea of dealing one of only three solid hitters in the Guardians’ lineup. Despite Kwan’s disappointing offensive performance to end the year, I think there is little doubt that his presence in the field and the clubhouse were crucial for the team’s ability to come back and make the run that eventually resulted in a division title.
Kwan is an interesting player because he is the rare defense first left fielder. Generally speaking, you want more offense from that position because defense isn’t as crucial in left field as it is throughout the rest of the diamond. It would make a lot more sense if Kwan would play centerfield, but that doesn’t seem to be a consideration from the team. Perhaps this is to protect his tender hamstrings and slight frame from further abuse. Kwan’s ability to stay healthy is the big question mark for his career so far. Perhaps he and the team are set for another even year 4-5 fWAR season as Kwan put up in 2022 and 2024 in 2026.
Or, perhaps the Guardians will revisit some of those potential trade partners this offseason and enable them to get a better bat in left field. In my opinion, it would be better to hang on to Kwan and see where the team is in July 2026. And, then, if he lasts 2026, I’d do the same thing in 2027. I think the only way to get Kwan’s value is at the trade deadline. I would also not be at all opposed to a Kwan extension, but, due to his injuries, I would not be offering more than around $12 million a year and probably for no more than 7 years. I suspect Kwan and his agent likely want more than that to prevent him from testing free agency, and that is their rightful prerogative. I see Kwan’s career in Cleveland likely ending similarly to Michael Brantley’s; only this time, hopefully the Guardians make the qualifying offer.
I really enjoy seeing Steven Kwan play for my favorite baseball team. I hope he has a healthy 2026 which could see him chase a batting title and get more in that 125-130 wRC+ territory which transforms this offense. But, even if he is more of an average hitter with a great glove, I’ll still enjoy him. And I’ll always remember his great article in the Athletic in advance of the Guardians’ playoff series this year. He’s a great guy and I am hoping I get at least one more year of rooting him on in a Cleveland uniform, and still dream of even more.
