bruce meyer: Guardians’ Steven Kwan urges unity as MLBPA faces leadership crisis

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Guardians player representative Steven Kwan urged his fellow players to move quickly to elect a new leader for the Major League Baseball Players Association, saying unity among the roughly 1, 200 members is critical after the sudden departure of the executive director.

Players want a fast, unified answer

Kwan told teammates there is motivation to settle the leadership question swiftly and that a timely election would demonstrate the union’s strength beyond any one individual. The executive director, who had led the players’ union since 2013, resigned following revelations of an inappropriate personal relationship that overlapped with the office and amid a federal inquiry into the union’s financial practices. That exit leaves the union without its long-time chief while the current basic agreement stands set to expire on Dec. 1, 2026.

“There’s motivation to get something done quickly, ” Kwan said. “I think it would show that all 1, 200 players could get on the same page. It’s tough what happened to Tony, but the union has never been defined by one person, it’s us as a whole. I think it would be a strong showing if we can all get there. That’s what the meeting tonight is going to be about. ”

Team discussions at camp reflected a mix of curiosity and caution. Kwan acknowledged that information was limited, but said teammates including Austin Hedges, Shawn Armstrong, David Fry and Bo Naylor helped him answer questions in the clubhouse. The union could move to elect a new executive director as soon as Wednesday night ET, leaguewide observers expect, and players indicated they want a clear, quick path forward to avoid prolonged uncertainty ahead of upcoming labor negotiations.

Local reactions, spring training updates and broader concerns

Within the Guardians’ camp, the leadership shake-up prompted a brief, candid team meeting. Manager Stephen Vogt emphasized the strength of multiple leaders in the clubhouse while downplaying the need for a formal single captain. “To name a captain, to me, is not baseball, ” Vogt said, praising the way veterans and younger players gravitate toward different leaders on and off the field.

On the field, left-hander Logan Allen is slated to start against the Reds while Joey Cantillo will get the ball against the Brewers to open Cactus League play Saturday. Allen will pitch at Goodyear Ballpark and Cantillo in Maryvale, where the Brewers train. The club also noted that Cantillo has worked on a new grip for his slider and the results have been promising.

Prospect Travis Bazzana will depart soon for Tokyo to join his national team at the World Baseball Classic. Vogt supported the decision, calling the WBC an excellent development opportunity and noting the club is managing Cactus League innings to accommodate international commitments.

Beyond clubhouse logistics and spring training lineups, commentators and columnists have flagged a deeper consequence: the scandal has the potential to set back representation and morale for underrepresented groups in baseball leadership. The resignation of a prominent Black executive director, coupled with questions about the union’s governance, has been characterized by some observers as a setback at a sensitive moment for diversity in the sport. Officials and players will now face the twin tasks of restoring confidence in the union’s internal controls and ensuring the leadership vacuum doesn’t derail preparations for future labor talks.

What’s next for the players association

With the bargaining agreement deadline still more than two years away, the immediate priority for players appears to be choosing interim or permanent leadership that can steady the organization and reassure members. The rapid timetable for a possible vote underscores players’ desire to show solidarity and avoid prolonged internal division.

Kwan framed the choice simply: the union is bigger than one executive, and a united vote would signal that the players remain in control of their future. As spring training continues, attention in clubhouses and boardrooms alike will rest on whether that unity can be made concrete at the next union meeting and in any immediate leadership vote scheduled for Wednesday night ET.