While there is always the possibility that a rookie with a tremendous season may not continue to excel as time goes on, Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan, barring injury, probably will continue to excel.
Other than Kenny Lofton, Steven Kwan may be the most prolific lead off hitter the Cleveland Guardians have had in 50 years or perhaps even much longer than that. Now combine excellent fielding and laser accurate throws to any base and Kwan's over all value is above and beyond expectations.
Kwan's numbers over the final 110 games (aka June 1st, 2022 through part of the first week of Oct. 2022), were basically equivalent to Kenny Lofton, who has received Hall of Fame consideration.
Steven Kwan was paid the major league minimum in 2022 of $700,000, Kwan has two more year of minimum salary eligibility. Year four would be his first arbitration year and his salary would probably rise to around 5 million. Year five and Kwan's salary could rise to 9 million, and in Kwan's final year of arbitration his salary could rise to 14 million dollars.
All told, Steven Kwan could make around 30 million dollars by the end of his sixth year as a Guardian. However, the majority of that money, 23 million, is still five years away. Kwan does have a propensity to play all out and there were a couple of times where Kwan hit the stands in foul territory so hard he temporarily looked like a compressed cartoon character. Thankfully, both the cartoon characters and Steven Kwan decompress after impact.
So there is risk for the Guardians pre-paying Kwan now for an overall discount later. For Kwan, with the right investments, a higher, front loaded contract could offset the next two years at $700,000 for a higher overall salary payout later, AND since the front loaded contract is guaranteed, Kwan can focus on baseball without thinking about his contract or some type of career ending or compromising injury.
What if the Guardians offered Steven Kwan 3.5 million a year for the next five years, a 17.5 million dollar investment along with a repeater option at 13 million a year for the following five years with a 5 million dollar buyout option. The Guardians are basically risking 22.5 million guaranteed for a chance to have a prolific defender and lead off hitter in their line-up for the next 10 years.
If the Guardians wait another year before deciding to offer Kwan a long term deal, Kwan only has one more year left at $700,000 before he can go to arbitration and start collecting at least 4 million for year four with the probability of even larger increase for year five and then for year six.
Yes, there is risk for the Guardians to offer Steven Kwan 3.5 million a year for the next five years, but the chance to have a repeater clause for an additional 5 million means the Fans can enjoy having a fan favorite in left field for the next 10 years rather than talk of trading Kwan after year four to "maximize" trade value.
The Guardians just signed Josh Bell to a 33 million dollar two year deal even after Bell had a prolific two month slump after he was traded to the playoff contending San Diego Padres.
Sportscam Detective previously proposed a front loaded contract for Jose Ramirez before the start of the 2022 season when it appeared Jose would be traded. Although Guardians ownership somewhat followed up on what was proposed here, Ramirez's contract fell slightly short of a true front loaded deal. Ramirez's deal basically ignored the two remaining years on Jose's present contract and front loaded those 2 years enough to get Jose Ramirez to sign on for five more years plus the two he already still had a lower amount.
Unfortunately, Jose Ramirez makes the most money on his new contract over the final two years of his 7 year new deal, when it is possible his athleticism may have diminished, just another reason the contract should have been either front loaded, or balance loaded, (my new term), in which every season is the same amount so in his final two years Ramirez's contract does not look like an albatross towards team payroll.
Getting back to Kwan, now is the time to invest a modest amount for someone who should continue to thrive and even get better.
Los Angeles Emmy winning Producer Alessandro Machi combines his editing, camera and observational skills to provide unique insights into the World of Sports.
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