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Guardians, Steven Kwan Set One-Year, $7.725 Million Deal for 2026 to Avoid Arbitration

The agreement locks in cost certainty below projections to shape Cleveland’s planning with two years of team control left.

Overview

  • The $7.725 million figure, reported before the salary-exchange deadline, finalizes a one-year pact that removes the need for a hearing.
  • The salary comes in below projections of $8.8 million from MLB Trade Rumors and $9.175 million from Baseball Prospectus.
  • Kwan remains under team control through 2027, giving potential bidders a clear two-year window before free agency.
  • He had been Cleveland’s lone unsigned arbitration-eligible player, so the deal completes the club’s arbitration slate for 2026.
  • A four-time Gold Glove winner and two-time All-Star who hit .272 in 2025, Kwan would be the Guardians’ largest offseason expenditure if he stays.