The Guardians clinched their third straight AL Central crown and came within a game of the World Series, only to fall to the Rays in six ALCS games. With postseason hopes shattered, president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti, GM Mike Chernoff and assistant GM Matt Forman fielded media Thursday to recap 2026 and preview the offseason.
Steven Kwan isn’t headed for free agency, but his contract expires after one more year. Analyst Matt Swartz estimates an $11.3 million arbitration salary for Kwan’s final year – a fair figure for his talent, yet steep for a club that ran the league’s lowest payroll (~$75 million). Cleveland has a track record of moving veteran assets with limited control, having dealt Josh Naylor, Francisco Lindor, Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer and Mike Clevinger. That history makes Kwan a potential trade chip, though the front office insists he’ll stay.
“We expect Steven Kwan to be a key piece of a contender next season,” Antonetti said (link via Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com).
Antonetti praised the 29‑year‑old’s leadership and his bounce‑back after a rough start. Kwan entered July hitting a feeble .212/.318/.257 with one homer, looking like a non‑tender candidate. He then ignited, finishing at .282/.382/.349 and posting a career‑best 13.3 % walk rate, 3.3 % above his norm. His strikeout percentage stayed elite at 9.7 %, and his 1.37 BB/K led all qualified hitters. Despite modest power – three homers and a .067 ISO – he posted a solid 114 wRC+.
Kwan added Gold Glove flair, logging 17 Defensive Runs Saved, eight Outs Above Average and seven Fielding Run Value between centre and left. That defensive package translated to 5.3 bWAR and 3.8 fWAR. In my view, his consistent production, never dipping below 3.0 in either metric over five seasons, makes him indispensable.
Looking ahead to 2027, Kwan appears set for the Opening Day roster, but the first‑base picture remains hazy. Rhys Hoskins, who earned the 2026 starter role after a minor‑league deal, is heading back to free agency after a career‑worst season. Nathaniel Lowe, acquired from the Reds at the Aug. 3 deadline, also failed to deliver and will join Hoskins on the market. Meanwhile, Kyle Manzardo, still pre‑arbitration, has contributed little since his 2024 debut.
Hoskins, Lowe and Manzardo combined for a –0.4 fWAR, the third‑lowest total among major‑league first basemen, and their 92 wRC+ ranked fourth‑worst. The club needs a stronger option at the corner, and Antonetti made it clear that power prospect Ralphy Velazquez will get a shot, per Joe Noga of cleveland.com.
“Ralphy has positioned himself as an option for us next year,” Antonetti said. “He delivered an extraordinary season.”
Velazquez, the 29th‑ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline, has thrived since Cleveland drafted him 23rd overall in 2023. At 21, he reached Triple‑A Columbus in mid‑May and posted a .278/.363/.541 line (133 wRC+) with 22 homers and a 20.6 % strikeout rate over 85 games and 369 plate appearances. He could become Cleveland’s first‑base answer as soon as 2027, though the team also hopes he continues to develop in the outfield.
On the mound, right‑hander Gavin Williams, left‑handed AL Rookie of the Year candidate Parker Messick and right‑hander Tanner Bibee (despite limited postseason use) are set for rotation spots in 2027. Although Joey Cantillo posted an 11.8 % walk rate, his 3.62 ERA over 33 outings (30 starts) and 159 innings was solid, and he’ll likely start in spring, according to Hoynes.
“There’s no clear answer,” Chernoff said about Espino’s role. “That’s the conversation we need to have internally with our group and with Daniel.”
Lefty Foster Griffin, acquired at the deadline from Washington, is the only rotation arm set to hit free agency. No word yet on a new deal, but he should earn more than the $5.5 million he took on last winter after returning from three seasons in Japan. Should Griffin depart, Cleveland could look inside—Espino, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen, Austin Peterson or Yorman Gomez—or explore free agency and trades. Can the Guardians find a suitable replacement to keep their rotation competitive?