The Cleveland Guardians gained’t but be considering forward about what occurs subsequent. They’ve bought a playoff run to pursue.
It begins Saturday within the ALDS when the Guardians host the Chicago White Sox in Cleveland, and odds are good that when the underside of the primary inning rolls round, Steven Kwan will probably be stepping in to guide off for the Guardians.
It’s value appreciating Kwan for any Cleveland followers watching. He’s approaching that time in his contract when this franchise classically considers a commerce.
Kwan has been a dependable performer for the Guardians for the reason that second since he confirmed up at Spring Coaching as a rookie and wouldn’t cease hitting. Then-manager Terry Francona had no selection however to maintain Kwan on the roster, hand him an Opening Day begin and watch him thrive.
The lefty has additionally been a Gold Glove-level defender in left area, and easily an all-around nice man to have on a ballclub.
None of that may cease the ever-present winds of change for a small market crew, although, as Kwan enters what may very well be an costly offseason of wage arbitration for him.
Steven Kwan Contract
Kwan is heading for his third and remaining yr of being eligible for wage arbitration this offseason.
That additionally implies that after the 2027 season, Kwan will probably be a free agent, so there are two elements at play right here.
The primary is that Kwan is about for a increase, as a result of the arbitration course of is designed to try this annually.
He made $7.725 million within the 2026 season, an quantity the Guardians negotiated with him to keep away from really going to an arbitration listening to, however one that will’ve been just like what he doubtless ended up with in a listening to anyway.
For 2027, that worth will go up, perhaps by as a lot as 50%.
MLB Commerce Rumors’ latest projections for arbitration salaries predict that Kwan will get $11.3 million.
There’s definitely a case to be made that Kwan is value that, however the Guardians don’t typically pay too many gamers on their roster eight-figure salaries, so it’d increase a number of eyebrows within the entrance workplace.
Steven Kwan Commerce Rumors
On condition that wage improve, and given the truth that Kwan will probably be a free agent after subsequent season, there will certainly be rumors about buying and selling him.
He’s been concerned in rumors since earlier than the 2025 commerce deadline, and now he’s reached the purpose the place Cleveland doesn’t often grasp on any longer, as a result of they wish to get no less than some worth for the participant who would possibly go away a yr later.
After all, the Guardians may additionally signal Kwan to a contract extension. That might remove this concern.
There’s additionally the matter of an offseason that may doubtless embody a lockout. That would make any transfer harder.
And if Kwan occurs to play hero and lead the Guardians on an October playoff run first, they could haven’t any selection however to maintain him round.
For now, it’s simply value contemplating that Kwan’s days in Cleveland may be nearer to their finish than their starting.
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