Guardians Unlikely To Trade Steven Kwan This Offseason

This article digs into the Cleveland Guardians’ quietly calculated offseason. It spotlights their decision to keep Steven Kwan, the youth movement in the outfield, and the urgent need to rebuild the bullpen.

We’ll also look at some key roster mechanics—like rare fourth option years and infield competition—that could shape Cleveland’s 2025 outlook.

Cleveland Guardians Stay the Course in a Quiet Offseason

The Guardians aren’t making winter headlines with big moves. Still, they’re not just standing around waiting for things to happen.

Their approach feels more like careful refinement than a dramatic overhaul. You can see that in the moves they’ve made—and, maybe more importantly, the ones they’ve decided to skip.

Rather than chasing expensive free agents, Cleveland’s focused on flexibility. They’re leaning into internal development and holding onto core pieces they believe can still compete in the American League.

Modest Additions: Hedges and Brogdon

Their major-league additions so far? Modest, but clearly intentional. They brought back backup catcher Austin Hedges, a guy who’s known more for his defense and game-calling than his bat.

Hedges gives the team stability behind the plate and acts as a mentor for younger pitchers. On the pitching side, Cleveland picked up middle reliever Connor Brogdon.

Brogdon’s got the raw stuff to help, but right now he looks more like a middle-innings option than a late-game stopper. That’s not flashy, but it’s practical.

The Steven Kwan Question: Trade Chip or Core Piece?

Inside the organization and around the league, Steven Kwan keeps coming up in trade talks. The Guardians listened at the deadline, but nobody offered enough to pry away a player who’s still central to their identity.

For now, Kwan stays put. That choice says a lot about how Cleveland values his current production and what he might become.

Evaluating Kwan’s 2024 Season

Kwan’s 2024 stat line—.272/.330/.374—lands him right around league average at the plate. Some folks worry he faded in the second half, but with contact hitters, that’s often just BABIP volatility rather than a real skills drop-off.

Kwan’s game revolves around putting the ball in play, controlling the strike zone, and playing solid defense. When his batting average on balls in play jumps around, so does his production. Cleveland seems to get that nuance.

Contract, Control, and Lack of Pressure to Deal

Kwan’s under team control for two more seasons, with an estimated salary of about $8.8 million. For a starting outfielder with his track record, that’s pretty good value right now.

The Guardians don’t feel any financial or roster pressure to move him. Trading Kwan would open a big hole in left field and force unproven players into everyday roles before they’re really ready.

A Youth Movement in the Outfield

With Kwan holding down one corner, the rest of the outfield is basically a proving ground for rookies. Cleveland’s betting that at least a couple of these young bats will push their way into the long-term picture.

Center and right field are wide open. The front office seems okay with growing pains if it means upside later.

DeLauter, Halpin, Valera, and Jones in the Mix

The Guardians see a rotation of young outfielders fighting for innings:

• Chase DeLauter – Could be a middle-of-the-order bat if he adjusts to big-league pitching quickly.
• Petey Halpin – Brings speed and defense in center field.
• George Valera – Has power and on-base skills, but injuries have slowed him down.
• Nolan Jones – A versatile bat who can provide offense in the corners and maybe elsewhere.

This group will compete for roles in center and right. Spring Training and early-season games will probably decide who rises to the top.

Rebuilding a Bullpen Without Emmanuel Clase

If there’s one area Cleveland can’t afford to mess up, it’s the bullpen. With Emmanuel Clase likely out, the Guardians are trying to build a new late-inning hierarchy.

Manager Stephen Vogt has been honest: the club needs to go from “four or five” trusted relievers to something closer to “eight” if they want to survive a full season.

Cade Smith, New Roles, and Unproven Depth

Cade Smith looks set to step into the closer’s role. That’s a big vote of confidence in his stuff and mentality.

Behind him, Cleveland will lean on a mix of known arms and question marks:

• Connor Brogdon and Matt Festa – Both should open the year in the bullpen, but right now they’re seen as middle-relief guys, not high-leverage stoppers.
• Tim Herrin and Erik Sabrowski – Lefties with upside, but they’ve struggled to throw strikes consistently.

If Herrin or Sabrowski can find their control, Vogt might finally have the matchup weapons every modern bullpen needs. If not, Cleveland could end up scrambling for reliable outs in the sixth and seventh innings. That’s a tough spot to be in.

Roster Flexibility: Rare Fourth Options and Infield Competition

Behind the scenes, one of the most important developments is more administrative than flashy. The Guardians locked in rare fourth option years for George Valera and second base prospect Juan Brito.

That extra option year gives the club a big edge when it comes to player development and depth.

Valera, Brito, and the Battle at Second Base

Because of injuries and delayed development, Valera and Brito can now be sent back to Triple-A without risking waivers. Both will compete for Opening Day roster spots, but their situations aren’t identical.

• Valera – The fourth option lets Cleveland give him time to find consistency, without worrying another team will swoop in.
• Juan Brito – Faces more pressure, not just from his own development, but from the rise of Travis Bazzana, who many think is the club’s long-term answer at second base.

In the infield, Brayan Rocchio will get plenty of time at shortstop in Spring Training. Gabriel Arias shifts into a utility role.

That setup leaves second base wide open for Brito to grab early or for Bazzana to claim as the season goes on. It’s a real competition, and it’ll be interesting to see who steps up first.

What It All Means for the Guardians’ 2025 Outlook

The Guardians’ offseason won’t generate big headlines. There’s a real strategy underneath the quiet, though—hang on to cost-controlled core guys like Steven Kwan and let young outfielders get a shot.

They’re also tinkering with the bullpen and trying to use roster flexibility where they can. It’s not flashy, but you can see what they’re aiming for.

If the young outfielders hit and Cade Smith locks down the ninth inning, things could look pretty smart by midsummer. Maybe Brito or Bazzana grabs second base, too.

But if those moves fall flat, Cleveland might end up wishing they’d pushed harder while the market was open. There’s always that bit of second-guessing, especially with Kwan’s value where it is now.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Guardians Not Inclined To Trade Steven Kwan