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What Does Steven Kwan’s Future Look Like in Cleveland?

Apr 28, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) doubles in the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

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What Does Steven Kwan’s Future Look Like in Cleveland?

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Chris Paterakis | Last updated Apr 30, 2026 2:24 PM ET

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Steven Kwan has had a rough start to the 2026 season leaving fans with concerns about his future. The 4x gold glove winner and 2x All-Star becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2028. The question becomes, what does an extension look like, and are the Guardians even considering one?

Since debuting in 2022, Kwan has been one of Guardian’s best players each season. The glove is outstanding in left field, and as a leadoff hitter you can always rely on him. So far in 2026, the average is way down and his role is briefly diminishing. Currently, the team has moved him around in the outfield with his primary role being in center field. This has given young guys like Chase DeLauter and Angel Martinez more time to shine.

No decision has to be made anytime soon, but what does the future hold for the perennial All-Star.

Diving Into The Metrics

Kwan prides his offense on batting average and hits. In 2026 so far, his batting average is .221 placing him in the 32nd percentile across the league. In terms of hits, he has 25 on the young season slightly below his pace from previous years. His game isn’t built to hit the deep ball and slug, but a .602 OPS won’t cut it moving forward.

Breaking down his AB’s, you see him falling behind in counts quite frequently. As a leadoff hitter your job is to get on base, which he has not done much of with a .310 OBP. What has worked this season is his ability to not chase or whiff at pitches. In both metrics, he is in the 80th+ percentile.

As a defender, he’s one of a kind. Winning four consecutive gold gloves and now moving over to center shows the type of player he is. The arm is nothing to write home about this season, but his range in the outfield places him the 90th percentile among major league outfielders.

What’s been concerning is his numbers going down slightly each season, but looking closer his bat speed slowing down. A player who hits around 10 home runs a season can’t afford to sacrifice bat speed. As much as you love the defense, the bat must improve for any commitment long term.

What Would The Trade Market Look Like

Last year during the 2025 trade deadline, reports came out that the Guardians were listening to offers around Kwan. The team wasn’t playing great during the first half of the season, and they explored possible returns. Around that time would’ve been his highest trade value from a financial aspect as well as what teams needed a left fielder.

The Guardians were not going to let Kwan go for nothing, in fact a report came out they wanted top Padres prospect Leo De Vries. The Padres went another direction and actually moved him for Mason Miller, but it shows how highly the Guardians thought of Kwan.

Heading into May of the 2026 season, the value has gone down significantly. While the defense has remained elite, the offense just isn’t good or consistent enough to demand a long term extension in the coming years. His market is tough to predict with no exact player to compare him with, but if you want the next closest thing look at Luis Arraez.

If the season continues the way it has gone for Cleveland, they will definitely consider moving him for the right price. The trade will most certainly contain prospects, and players Cleveland knows they can control. In terms of what teams make sense for Kwan, contenders like the Braves, Blue Jays, and Padres could all use the left field help.

Apr 14, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Guardians center fielder Steven Kwan (38) dives and catches a line drive hit by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

End Of My Steven Kwan Rant

While it’s only been a month into the season, the Guardians will have a tough decision to make regarding Kwan’s future. This ball club rarely extends players, and when they do it’s slightly below market value. If Kwan is going to intend on a big payday, his best chances are elsewhere. Nonetheless, the city and fans would love him to turn it around and be a key factor on another AL Central playoff run.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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