Outfielder Steven Kwan has become a highly sought-after player as the MLB trade deadline approaches, with multiple teams showing serious interest, according to a source cited by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Among the clubs most closely linked to Kwan are the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, while earlier reports have also connected the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres to the Guardians outfielder.
Strong Season Performance with Slight Offensive Dip
Kwan is delivering another solid campaign, maintaining a .287/.351/.411 slash line over 443 plate appearances, highlighted by nine home runs and 11 stolen bases in 13 attempts. His weighted runs created plus (wRC+) currently stands at 115, a drop from the 131 wRC+ he posted in 2024, but his bat has started to regain momentum after a prolonged slump during June and early July. Defensively, Kwan’s usual Gold Glove-level play in left field has shown some regression, reflected by a -1 mark in the Outs Above Average metric, yet remains strong with a +13 Defensive Runs Saved figure over nearly 854 innings in left field.
Consistency in Contact and Speed Define Kwan’s Value
One factor in Kwan’s slight downturn may be a decline in his walk rate, which has settled around league average after consistently ranking in the top 35% in previous seasons. Despite limited power and a lower percentage of hard contact, Kwan’s near-zero strikeout rate combined with excellent contact quality and speed has allowed him to maintain a valuable offensive presence. This combination of skills, alongside his arbitration control through 2028, explains why contenders are eager to investigate his potential availability.
Guardians’ Position and Its Impact on Trade Prospects
The Cleveland Guardians, currently at 52-54, sit nine games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central and four games outside the final American League wild card spot, making their playoff chances increasingly slim. Adding to the team’s challenges, closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on administrative leave amid a league investigation tied to sports betting, rendering him unavailable until at least August 31. This development, according to Rosenthal,
ended any chance of the Guardians becoming a buyer
at the deadline, potentially incentivizing the team to increase player sales.
Possibility of Cleveland Shopping Controllable Assets Like Kwan
Given the circumstances, the Guardians might consider trading not only impending free agents but also controllable players such as Kwan. Since there is no immediate urgency for a move, Cleveland can afford to wait for the right offer, setting a high asking price for a player of his caliber. The dynamics of the trade market suggest they will be selective about any potential deal.
Toronto Blue Jays as a Front-Runner for Acquiring Kwan
The Blue Jays have a strong recent history of completing meaningful trades with Cleveland, which could increase their chances of securing Kwan. If acquired, Kwan would likely fill the everyday left field role, strengthening a Jays outfield currently affected by injuries to Anthony Santander and Daulton Varsho, and with George Springer increasingly taking on designated hitter duties. Toronto’s outfield depth includes players like Addison Barger, Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider, Joey Loperfido, Alan Roden, and former Guardian Myles Straw, many of whom have performed well in supporting roles.
From Cleveland’s perspective, the Guardians have long struggled with their outfield depth despite Kwan’s consistent contributions. A trade might involve Cleveland seeking young, controllable outfielders from Toronto in return. Addison Barger stands out as a potential centerpiece, but the Guardians would almost certainly require inclusion of top prospects such as Arjun Nimmala or Trey Yesavage to complete a package matching Kwan’s value.
Dodgers’ Strong Farm System Poises Them to Outbid Rivals
Los Angeles, boasting a far deeper minor league system than Toronto or most other teams, appears well-positioned to win any potential bidding war for Kwan’s services. If the trade materializes, the Dodgers’ projected everyday outfield would include Kwan in left field, Andy Pages in center, and Teoscar Hernandez in right. Additional options like Tommy Edman, Michael Conforto, James Outman, Esteury Ruiz, and Enrique Hernandez (once healthy) provide solid depth on the roster.
Within this scenario, Michael Conforto appears as the most likely candidate to be displaced. Although Conforto’s recent hitting has improved, ongoing inconsistencies earlier in the season might prompt the Dodgers to move him elsewhere. However, Conforto would probably not be part of a trade package sent to Cleveland in exchange for Kwan.
Implications of Kwan’s Trade Interest for the Season’s Final Stretch
Steven Kwan’s rising trade deadline interest highlights the shifting landscape for contenders seeking to strengthen their rosters. With Cleveland’s playoff hopes diminishing and key players like Emmanuel Clase sidelined, the Guardians may shift toward selling mode, exploring offers for both free agents and valuable controlled players like Kwan. The pursuit by the Blue Jays and Dodgers underscores Kwan’s perceived value as one of the better all-around position players available in this deadline window.
This activity also reflects broader strategic considerations as teams balance current needs against future potential. For Cleveland, any trade involving Kwan would aim to bolster depth and youth, while Toronto and Los Angeles seem ready to add a versatile and steady contributor to their outfields in pursuit of postseason success.