Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan spent the first half of 2026 hearing plenty of noise about his future. With a wRC+ in the low eighties at the break, plenty of fans wanted him gone, whether that meant a trade or a trip to the minors. For much of the first three months, he was, in the source’s blunt terms, harmless at the plate.
Kwan didn’t push back. He didn’t point fingers, didn’t blame his manager for sliding him into the bottom half of the lineup, and kept working.
That patience started to pay off in late June, when his season turned around and never really looked back. By the end of 2026, he had put together one of the best years of his major league career, finishing with a 3.8 fWAR and a 114 wRC+.
Even with that rebound, the criticism has not disappeared. The biggest complaint is still the same one: power. Kwan went from 11 home runs last year to just three in 2026, and in a conversation with Joe Noga of Cleveland.com, he made it clear he understands exactly what kind of hitter he is.
“I probably have the ability to pull a homer if it’s there. But I know what’s been working in the second half.
I know my role. Especially, I’ve got seven, eight guys behind me that could hit a homer at any point.
So I’m probably not the guy to do that,” Kwan said. “Work pitches, get on base, drain the pitcher out.
And yeah, you just keep going from there.”
That mindset brings to mind the old Ichiro Suzuki comparison, at least in style. The power was there in batting practice, but in games Ichiro made his living another way, leaning on contact and occasional gap power because that was the formula that fit him best for years. Kwan’s situation is similar in the sense that he could chase more pull-side pop if he wanted to, but doing so might come at the cost of the swing that has made him effective.
Kwan is not built to be a slugger. He’s a hitter who makes pitchers throw strikes, puts the ball in play, and beats mistakes with line drives and ground balls. Based on how his second half unfolded, there’s no reason for him to reinvent himself now.
In Other News...
Jo Adell Sends Guardians A Clear Message After Flat ALDS Opener
After a flat start to the American League Division Series, the Guardians were left searching for any spark after Chicagos pitching held them to three hits and no runs in Game 1. Clevelands offense never found a rhythm, and with the series shifting back to Progressive Field for Mondays Game 2, the tone around the team quickly turned from disappointment to urgency.
Jo Adell, who went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, was among the players stressing the need to flush the opener and move on. For a Guardians club that knows how quickly a postseason series can tilt, the challenge now is to reset at home and come back with a cleaner, more aggressive approach before the White Sox can seize full control. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Have A 20-Year-Old Shortstop Fans Need To Watch
Welbyn Francisca is the kind of young infielder who can make a prospect list feel alive, and the 20-year-old shortstop wasted little time reminding people why he has climbed so quickly through the Guardians system. On Opening Day in the Arizona Fall League, Francisca put together a loud all-around performance, going 5-for-5 with a double, a home run, three runs scored, three RBIs, a walk and a stolen base.
What makes that line especially notable is how it fits into the bigger arc of his year. Francisca spent the 2026 minor league season moving across multiple levels, batting .272 with 19 home runs and 53 RBIs despite missing time because of injury, and he is still showing the kind of impact that suggests his rise is far from finished. For Cleveland, the appeal is obvious: a young shortstop with production, athleticism and momentum, all in the same package. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Be Headed For A Costly 2027 Roster Squeeze
Major league clubs always keep one eye on the present and another on the payroll calendar, and the Guardians are getting a reminder of how quickly the bill can climb. MLB Trade Rumors recently laid out projected arbitration salaries for Clevelands 2027 roster, a snapshot that points to Steven Kwan and Jo Adell as two of the pricier names if the club keeps them in the fold.
The projections are only speculative and built from current performance and arbitration eligibility, but they underscore the kind of roster squeeze that can arrive fast for a contender trying to keep its core intact. Not every familiar face is a sure thing to stay, either, with Slade Cecconi and David Fry among the players whose futures could look different by then, leaving Cleveland to weigh cost against continuity. [Read more 🡒]