Guardians' 26-man roster intact following trade deadline, including Steven Kwan

CLEVELAND — The Guardians emerged from the trade deadline intact for the most part. That's a good place to be, according to manager Stephen Vogt. "The guys are energized. We're all here," Vogt said prior to the opener of a three-game series against the Twins at Progressive Field on Friday night. "We felt like we were playing really good baseball going into the deadline. We have our entire active team back and that's really exciting for us." All of Cleveland's players on the 26-man roster remained with the team, most importantly, All-Star and Gold Glove left fielder Steven Kwan, who drew interest from multiple clubs leading up to the final moments before the 6 p.m. deadline. Vogt said he texted Kwan shortly after the deadline expired. "I waited until about 6:20, because those paperwork moves get in there just at 5:59," he joked. "Just told him, 'Can't wait to see you. You're playing left (Friday).' "Kwany's a huge part of us and he's a huge part of Cleveland. I'm pumped that he's here. It's like we talked about, it's rumors. You don't know anything until it's true." There were some anxious moments for Kwan as well. He said team president Chris Antonetti called him with time still on the deadline clock. "It was nine minutes before (the deadline)," said Kwan, who received a nice ovation during pregame announcements and as he came to the plate for his first at-bat Friday. He hit a line drive single to left-center. "My heart dropped when I saw it, expecting something. I am sure he knew the magnitude of what that could have entailed. He was like 'You can rest easy. We are not going to make any moves with you. I just wanted you to know before the deadline ended. I don't want you just to be in the dark about that.' That was really nice of him and I appreciate that. "It feels good to know where I am going to stay for the rest of the year. No more outside distractions and I am just kind of focused on what we have right now. I feel like we have enough to make a good run at it, so we will see what these next two months hold." Kwan returned to the fold, but the Guardians did part ways with two pitchers, including former ace and 2020 Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber. "Obviously, we had to say good-bye to two people we love in Shane Bieber and Paul Sewald, especially Shane with what he meant to Cleveland and this organization," Vogt said. "It's a really hard thing. He was emotional. We were all emotional saying good-bye. "Wish him nothing but the best. He's gonna get healthy and go out and pitch well and that's what we want to see. Shane's one of the best human beings I've ever been around in this game." The only addition the Guardians made to the big league roster in the days leading up to the deadline was a waiver wire claim of relief pitcher Carlos Hernandez, who is expected to join the club this weekend. Hernandez spent the first five seasons of his career with the Royals and has appeared in 36 games for the Tigers and Phillies this year, posting a 6.69 ERA with a 1.789 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings. Vogt thinks the team Hernandez is joining is capable of contending for a playoff spot -- entering Friday nine games out of first place in the Central Division, while trailing Seattle by three games for the final wild card spot – especially with Kwan still in town. "I love where we're sitting," said Vogt. "It's been an up-and-down year. We've gone through a lot. We're gonna go through more. It's only inevitable, but to be three games out with 54 to go, you couldn't ask for a better position to be in right now. "The confidence is high in that room. We've been playing really good baseball the last couple of weeks and these guys get to continue to do that together." "It is exciting. We have got a lot of baseball left to play," Kwan said. "I think we are in striking distance. I feel like we are kind of hitting our stride, offensively. The pitching staff has always been great. We get on a good run, anything can happen." Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @CAwesomeheimer on X.