The Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres have emerged as leading contenders interested in acquiring Steven Kwan, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post. As National League teams seeking to strengthen their left field options, both clubs are closely monitoring the Steven Kwan trade interest amid ongoing discussions.
Kwan would rank among the premier hitters available if the Cleveland Guardians decide to explore trade options. Sources like ESPN’s Buster Olney suggest that while the Guardians are open to offers, they maintain a firm stance with a high asking price. Kwan, a two-time All-Star, remains under arbitration control for two more seasons and is currently earning a modest $4.175 million salary this year.
Phillies Grapple with Left Field Struggles and Potential Moves
The Phillies have experienced offensive difficulties in left field, with their players collectively hitting just .190/.302/.339. Much of this burden falls on offseason acquisition Max Kepler, who has yet to perform at the expected level on his $10 million contract. Kepler’s current slash line stands at .207/.305/.372, including 11 home runs over 328 plate appearances. His frustration has grown over the team’s tendency to limit his exposure to left-handed pitchers, though he has not compelled the lineup with his output.
Given these struggles, the Phillies could consider trading Kepler in pursuit of a better fit. Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s front office also highlighted outfield prospect Justin Crawford, who is performing strongly at Triple-A with a .326/.406/.424 batting line and 29 stolen bases. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski discussed Crawford’s potential for a major league promotion, noting that timing depends largely on roster moves and the presence of an everyday left fielder acquisition.
The one thing, if you’re bringing Justin Crawford up at this point, he needs to play,
Dombrowski told reporters.
So that’s the main thing. So we need to kind of just sort out our own situation here and see when he comes up that he’s going to be a guy that’s playing all the time.
—Dave Dombrowski, Phillies President of Baseball Operations
Crawford’s arrival could also impact center fielder Brandon Marsh, potentially shifting Marsh to left field and relegating Kepler to a bench role or removing him from the roster entirely, depending on how the Phillies proceed.
Padres Seek Left Field Solution Amid Roster Changes
San Diego’s initial plan to field a platoon of Jason Heyward and Connor Joe in left field dissolved by the end of June, leading to Gavin Sheets taking over the position. Sheets, a left-handed hitter, has had a productive season with a .257/.319/.433 slash and 14 homers, but has encountered recent offensive slowdowns. Defensively, Sheets is more suited to first base or designated hitter roles, prompting the Padres to look elsewhere to solidify left field.
Steven Kwan’s All-Around Value on the Field
Kwan is widely regarded as one of the strongest defensive left fielders in baseball, earning Gold Gloves in each of his first three major league seasons. At the plate, he has consistently been an average or better hitter, posting a .285/.348/.393 slash line in 415 plate appearances this year. Notably, Kwan has maintained a walk rate higher than his strikeout rate in recent seasons. Although he does not possess significant power, Kwan’s high on-base percentage and contact skills mark him as an ideal candidate for a leadoff role.
Cleveland Guardians’ Trade Philosophy and Playoff Position
As a small-market franchise, the Guardians are typically receptive to trade discussions involving most of their roster except for their core star José Ramírez. Other notable players linked to trade talks include Emmanuel Clase, Cade Smith, and Shane Bieber. Despite speculation, the Guardians have not committed to selling assets, riding an eight-win surge in their last ten games to reach a .500 record. Presently, they sit just 2.5 games behind a Wild Card spot.
The Guardians’ remaining schedule leading into the trade deadline involves two games against the Baltimore Orioles, a weekend series in Kansas City, and three home matchups with the Colorado Rockies. Their performance in these contests may influence their decisions regarding Steven Kwan’s availability.
Implications for Contenders and Next Steps
For both the Phillies and Padres, securing a player like Kwan could address their respective left field deficiencies and bolster their lineups for the stretch run. Philadelphia faces a balancing act between developing prospects such as Justin Crawford and acquiring immediate help, while San Diego continues to seek a stable left field presence beyond their current options.
Cleveland’s willingness to entertain offers will hinge on their competitive footing as the trade deadline approaches, with Kwan standing out as a coveted asset for clubs chasing postseason success. How the Guardians manage their roster and trade discussions in the coming weeks will have significant implications for the race within the National League and beyond.