Guardians Face Tough Call on Star Outfielder Kwan

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The Cleveland Guardians face a critical strategic decision regarding star outfielder Steven Kwan as he continues to emerge as one of baseball's top young talents. However, the team's plans are being complicated by upcoming labor negotiations that could eliminate a key team protection - the qualifying offer system.

Why it matters

Kwan has blossomed into an elite all-around player, making the Guardians' long-term plans for him a crucial consideration. But the potential elimination of the qualifying offer system in the next MLB collective bargaining agreement would dramatically change the team's options for retaining Kwan.

The details

The qualifying offer system currently allows teams to make a one-year, market-value contract offer to pending free agents, giving the team draft pick compensation if the player signs elsewhere. This has been a valuable tool for the small-market Guardians to retain young stars. However, the system is a major point of contention in upcoming labor talks, and its potential elimination would force Cleveland to make tough decisions on Kwan's future sooner than planned.

• The Guardians' current collective bargaining agreement with MLB expires in December 2026.
• Steven Kwan emerged as an All-Star caliber player in 2025, his third MLB season.

What’s next

The Guardians will need to carefully weigh their options for retaining Kwan long-term, with the upcoming labor negotiations adding significant complexity to their decision-making process.