The Cleveland Guardians are experimenting with moving four-time Gold Glove winner Steven Kwan to center field during spring training in Goodyear, Arizona, as they seek to improve their outfield arrangement for the 2026 season. This marks Kwan’s first genuine opportunity to play center field at the major league level, a move announced by manager Stephen Vogt amid efforts to optimize the team’s lineup and defense.
Since his debut in 2022, Kwan, 28, has excelled in left field, earning a Gold Glove every season and matching Kenny Lofton’s franchise record for the most Gold Gloves by a Guardians outfielder. His defensive efficiency is highlighted by leading all MLB left fielders with 29 Outs Above Average since 2022, underscoring his elite coverage ability.
“We’ve talked about it a few times, just with how we’re comprised,” Vogt explained. “Like, ‘Hey, there might be a time you need to go to center.’ But he’s expressed interest in playing center at times too.”
— Stephen Vogt, Cleveland Guardians Manager
Rationale Behind Transitioning Kwan to Center Field
The Guardians face an urgent need for offensive production in their outfield, having ranked last in MLB in outfield OPS at .629 in 2025. Their center fielders struggled notably, combining for a .199 batting average and a .574 OPS, the lowest marks in the league. Overall, the team’s offensive performance was underwhelming, finishing 28th in runs scored per game with 3.97.
Relocating Kwan to center could create lineup flexibility that allows rising prospects George Valera and Chase DeLauter to share the outfield. Valera produced a respectable .255/.346/.457 batting line in Triple-A last season, while DeLauter impressed with a .278/.383/.476 slash line at the same level, suggesting both could benefit from more playing time.
This adjustment is not entirely new territory for Kwan. Although his major league experience in center field comprises only 31 innings, he amassed over 1,200 innings in center during his minor league career. The role demands increased physical exertion, a factor to consider given Kwan missed four weeks in 2024 with a hamstring injury.
Guardians’ History and Strategy Regarding Center Field
In recent seasons, the Guardians have experimented with multiple players in center field including Angel Martínez, Tyler Freeman, Lane Thomas, and Daniel Schneemann, without establishing a clear long-term option. This continual turnover has left persistent uncertainty about the position’s ideal occupant.
“There’s nothing in stone that he’s going to play center field,” Vogt stated. “It’s just we’re going to get him some games in center field.”
— Stephen Vogt, Cleveland Guardians Manager
The decision to test Kwan in center aligns with Cleveland’s broader challenge of maximizing its roster while operating under financial constraints. The Guardians’ offseason activity has been minimal, highlighted primarily by the signings of relief pitchers Shawn Armstrong ($5.5 million) and Colin Holderman ($1.5 million).
Potential Impact of Kwan’s Position Shift on the Guardians
Should Kwan adapt successfully to center field, the Guardians could address several issues simultaneously: solidifying their defensive alignment while enhancing offensive output. Kwan’s Gold Glove run ranks as the third-longest to start a career in MLB history, trailing only legends Ichiro Suzuki and Nolan Arenado.
As a franchise that clinched the AL Central title last year largely through pitching and defense, despite ranking near the bottom offensively, adding firepower while retaining defensive excellence is a vital step toward sustained competitiveness. The spring trial with Kwan in center field exemplifies Cleveland’s willingness to employ inventive solutions to team-building challenges.
Although it remains uncertain whether Kwan’s move to center field will become permanent, the experiment signifies the Guardians’ proactive approach to maximizing their talent as they prepare for the 2026 campaign.
