With MLB’s Winter Meetings just around the corner, the Cleveland Guardians find themselves staring down one of the most important offseasons in recent memory. The mission is clear: bring in offense.
But while the front office will be active in exploring trade possibilities to inject more firepower into the lineup, they’ll need to tread carefully when it comes to dealing from within. There are a few names on this roster that should be firmly off-limits - players whose value, both now and in the near future, outweighs whatever return they might fetch.
Here are three Guardians who should be considered untouchable as the team looks to retool for 2026.
Steven Kwan: The Offensive Engine Cleveland Can’t Afford to Lose
If there’s one name that should be written in permanent marker on the Guardians’ 2026 lineup card, it’s Steven Kwan.
In a lineup that has too often struggled to find consistency, Kwan has been the steady hand at the top - a high-contact, high-IQ hitter who simply finds ways to get on base and make things happen. In 2025, he slashed .272/.330 with 11 home runs and 21 stolen bases.
He’s not going to lead the league in long balls, but he doesn’t have to. Kwan brings a rare blend of contact ability, speed, and gap power that sets the tone for the rest of the offense.
But his value doesn’t stop at the plate. Kwan is a defensive force in left field.
He finished fourth among American League left fielders in Defensive Runs Saved and took home his fourth Gold Glove in 2025. Since 2022, no left fielder in the majors has recorded more Outs Above Average.
That’s elite territory.
He’s also cost-controlled, a clubhouse leader, and the kind of tone-setter every contending team needs. Trading Kwan - especially when the entire offseason revolves around adding offense - would be a self-inflicted wound. Simply put, he’s the kind of player you build around, not dangle in trade talks.
Nolan Jones: The Power Bat Worth Betting On
On paper, Nolan Jones’ 2025 numbers don’t jump off the page - a .211/.296/.304 slash line isn’t going to win any awards. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a player who might just be on the verge of unlocking something special.
Jones hit the ball hard all season. His exit velocities were strong, and his struggles were largely the result of bad luck - a significant drop in BABIP compared to his breakout 2023 season in Colorado.
Late in the year, the tide started to turn. The power returned, and the results began to follow.
This is a player with real, raw pop. And in a Guardians lineup that desperately needs more thump, Jones represents a potential in-house solution.
He’s versatile, too - capable of playing the outfield, first base, or filling in at DH. That kind of flexibility, combined with his upside, makes him a valuable chess piece for manager Stephen Vogt.
The Guardians would be wise to stay patient. Jones has the kind of controllable power that’s hard to find, and even harder to replace. Trading him now, just as he’s showing signs of figuring things out, could end up being a move they regret.
Joey Cantillo: The Left-Handed Swiss Army Knife
Joey Cantillo might be the most tempting trade chip on Cleveland’s roster this winter - and that’s exactly why they should hold onto him.
The 25-year-old lefty was a quietly vital piece of the Guardians’ pitching staff in 2025. He posted a 3.21 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 95.1 innings, striking out 108 batters across 34 appearances, including 13 starts. Whether coming out of the bullpen or stepping into the rotation, Cantillo delivered.
His value lies in that versatility. With Cleveland often rolling with a six-man rotation, Cantillo proved he could handle multiple roles - spot starter, long reliever, or even a high-leverage bullpen arm. For a team that leans heavily on its pitching to stay competitive, that kind of flexibility is gold.
Sure, teams in need of arms might come calling with enticing offers. But unless the return is overwhelming, it’s hard to justify parting with a young, controllable left-hander who’s already shown he can get big-league hitters out in multiple roles. His best fit in 2026 might be as a high-leverage, multi-inning reliever - a role that becomes even more critical in October.
Cantillo’s not just depth. He’s a weapon. And the Guardians would be smart to treat him like one.
The Bottom Line
The Guardians are in a position where they need to get better offensively - that much is clear. But improvement doesn’t have to come at the cost of foundational pieces.
Steven Kwan, Nolan Jones, and Joey Cantillo each offer something unique and essential to Cleveland’s blueprint for success. Whether it’s Kwan’s consistency and glove, Jones’ tantalizing power upside, or Cantillo’s pitching flexibility, these are the types of players you keep, not trade.
This offseason is about adding - not subtracting from the core. And if the Guardians want to take the next step in 2026, holding onto these three could be just as important as any move they make.