Cleveland Guardians fans are asking how the team would utilize the money saved from the Andrés Giménez deal.
They removed roughly $100 million from the books, so people are expecting a major splash.
The truth is that the Guardians don’t have to sign a huge free agent; they can also trade for one.
A contract extension with one of their domestic players could be a realistic third option.
Mike Axisa of CBS Sports discussed potential key extension candidates throughout the league, and one of the Guardians’ young players was included.
“The Guardians and Kwan might spend around $7 million in 2026 (second arbitration year), $10 million in 2027 (third arbitration year), and $15 million in 2028 and 2029 (free-agent years). That would be four years and $47 million, which could be easily increased to $50 million via an option buyout,” Axisa stated.
As the writer points out, the start of spring is an ideal moment for teams to sign their own talents to long-term contracts.
Rumors of a Kwan extension have circulated for some time, and don’t be surprised if he is the only player in whom the club devotes the majority of its resources.
He brings value at the plate, with a career wRC+ of 117 and coming off a 131 mark in 2024.
He is also an excellent baserunner, having 52 stolen bases in three years.
He has been caught stealing only 13 times over that time.
We don’t need to tell you that he plays outstanding defense in left field, earning three consecutive Gold Gloves.
Axisa believes the whole package is sufficient for a four-year deal worth approximately $50 million, maybe more if a club option is included and exercised.
Kwan does not have much power, but he has excellent plate discipline and bat-to-ball abilities, unlike Giménez.
He has averaged exactly 4.0 fWAR throughout his first three seasons on The Show, making that possible contract a steal.
