“As we sit right here at the moment, we’re anticipating Steven Kwan to be an enormous a part of a contending workforce subsequent yr,” Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti advised reporters throughout the workforce’s season wrap-up press convention after the ALCS. This was one thing lower than a affirmation that Kwan shall be again with the Guards in 2027, and it may certainly be that Kwan’s “contending workforce” performs someplace aside from Cleveland.
The Guardians have made a behavior of successful with out a lot offense lately, and the membership’s collective 97 wRC+ (rating twenty second in baseball) in 2026 was no exception. Buying and selling certainly one of their most reliable hitters subsequently doesn’t make an excessive amount of sense on paper for the Guardians, particularly when the outfield specifically has been a weak hyperlink, and Kwan provides a ton of defensive worth past his contributions on the plate.
That mentioned, buying and selling an more and more costly veteran a yr or two previous to free company has lengthy been a well-liked tactic of the Guardians’ entrance workplace (to not point out different constantly small-market groups just like the Brewers or Rays). Kwan is projected to earn $11.3MM in his ultimate season of arbitration eligibility, earlier than he’s slated to hit the open market subsequent winter. Except Kwan is open to a really team-friendly extension a la Jose Ramirez, likelihood is Kwan shall be taking part in for an additional workforce by 2028 anyway, so buying and selling him now would enable Cleveland to once more restock the roster for each 2027 and the longer term.
Even because the Guardians have been in playoff competition, there has already been a number of commerce buzz surrounding Kwan up to now couple of years. The Phillies, Padres, Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Reds have been all reportedly desirous about Kwan on the 2025 commerce deadline, so Antonetti and firm would possibly have already got an concept of what suitors are prepared to supply for the two-time All-Star. MLB Commerce Rumors ranked Kwan eleventh on our record of the offseason’s prime 40 candidates.
It is usually value noting that Kwan’s bat has been considerably inconsistent. Kwan posted a 122 wRC+ in his 2022 rookie season, however subsequently delivered a 99 wRC+ in 2023, a 130 wRC+ in 2024, a 98 wRC+ in 2025, after which a 114 wRC+ this yr. Even in 2026, Kwan had a Jekyll-and-Hyde season — he had an unsightly .614 OPS over his first 354 plate appearances, however then rebounded for an .875 OPS in his 283 PA after the All-Star break.
This streaky hitting is probably par for the course for a participant who makes little or no exhausting contact and hits for little or no energy. Kwan’s recreation is constructed round taking walks (and his 13.3% stroll price in 2026 was a profession excessive) and placing the ball in play virtually as usually as any participant in baseball. Aside from the offensive skillset, Kwan gained 4 Gold Gloves for his elite work in left discipline from 2022-25, and he delivered extra sturdy glovework in each left and middle discipline in 2026 when the Guards mainly cut up Kwan’s time between the 2 positions.
The looming lockout provides one other wrinkle to Cleveland’s plans, and maybe provides to the chance that Kwan won’t be dealt in any respect. Based on MLB Community’s Jon Morosi, rival groups could possibly be “unlikely” to commerce prospects previous to December 1 for gamers with just one yr of workforce management, just because a prolonged lockout may lower into the 2027 season itself.
One work-around for golf equipment just like the Guardians can be to supply Kwan for an additional participant with one yr of management, in additional of a basic need-for-need baseball commerce than as a manner of amassing youthful expertise. Since this doesn’t meet the Guardians’ most well-liked mannequin of offers, the Guards may favor to simply hold Kwan at the least by way of a lockout, and see how issues stand as soon as the offseason ultimately will get again underway.
With all of this in thoughts, let’s break down the opposite 29 groups to see who strains up finest as a potential Kwan suitor…
Not Doubtless
The Rockies and Angels are rebuilding. The Cardinals and Nationals carried out higher than anticipated in what was anticipated to be a rebuilding yr in 2026, however buying Kwan doesn’t actually match what both workforce is planning for 2027. The Guardians most likely wouldn’t robotically hold up the cellphone if the Royals, Twins, Tigers, or White Sox got here calling on Kwan, however barring an actual knockout provide, it’s exhausting to think about Cleveland shifting Kwan to a division rival.
The Brewers have Jackson Chourio and Garrett Mitchell in left and middle, so the World Collection champs don’t have any actual want for Kwan. The A’s have Tyler Soderstrom in left discipline and Henry Bolte and Denzel Clarke in middle discipline, plus the Athletics have a a lot greater want for pitching assist. The Pink Sox even have a loaded outfield in Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu, and if something, shall be seeking to commerce from their outfield combine by shifting Jarren Duran. The Mets have Juan Soto, Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing as their beginning outfield, and shifting Soto right into a full-time DH function to accommodate Kwan most likely isn’t taking place.
The Previous Commerce Suitors
Of the 5 groups beforehand linked to Kwan, two appear much less more likely to hold exploring a commerce. Josue De Paula’s emergence is just additional crowding the Dodgers’ outfield, to the purpose that Teoscar Hernandez is one other believable outfield commerce chip because the workforce seems to create lineup area for De Paula. The Reds may badly use Kwan to assist stabilize their shaky outfield, however giving up a major commerce bundle for a participant with one yr of management won’t align with Cincinnati’s personal method as a lower-spending workforce.
The Blue Jays may use Kwan in both left or middle discipline, if Anthony Santander is stored as a main DH or Brett Bateman is used extra in a part-time function than as an on a regular basis outfielder. Toronto figures to be exploring the outfield market however would possibly favor a slugger, given how the Jays lacked within the energy division final yr. The Phillies have energy however want extra contact from their lineup, and Kwan is an enormous defensive improve to Philadelphia’s outfield, so Brandon Marsh or Justin Crawford could possibly be moved over to proper discipline to accommodate Kwan. The Padres have an enormous gap to fill in left discipline and Kwan can be an excellent match.
Swinging a deal for Kwan is completely throughout the purview for any of those latter three groups, who’re in clear win-now mode. For what it’s value, Antonetti has accomplished a number of trades with each Padres president of baseball ops A.J. Preller and Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins over time.
Different Candidates
Astros: The Astros are badly in want of each outfielders and left-handed hitters. Yordan Alvarez is provisionally projected for left discipline responsibility given Houston’s infield surplus, however it’s far more possible that the slugger is kind of an on a regular basis DH. Of the Astros’ infielders, Jeremy Pena can also be a free agent after 2027 however the Astros don’t have any apparent manner of changing Pena at shortstop until Carlos Correa is moved again to the place. Meaning a enjoyable Pena-for-Kwan deal most likely isn’t reasonable, however may a commerce involving Kwan and Isaac Paredes be a chance?
Braves: Mike Yastrzemski and Jurickson Profar are lined up for platoon responsibility in left discipline, besides Yaz struggled in 2026 and Profar missed your complete season on a PED suspension. Because it’s potential Profar could possibly be launched fully, buying Kwan is smart for the Braves as a technique to stabilize left discipline, as Yastrzemski may then be utilized in proper discipline every time Ronald Acuna Jr. wants a DH day.
Cubs: Pete Crow-Armstrong has middle discipline locked up in Wrigleyville, however the left discipline spot is large open since Ian Happ is a free agent. With Seiya Suzuki additionally hitting the open market, Chicago is anticipated to make use of Matt Shaw for one nook outfield emptiness, but when each Happ and Suzuki go away, bringing a veteran like Kwan on board is a logical transfer that may hold the Cubs’ elite protection in place.
Diamondbacks: Arizona has a acknowledged want for left-handed hitting. Lars Nootbaar is lined up because the common left fielder however could possibly be moved to DH, or Kwan may play middle discipline. The D’Backs need to discover at-bats for Jordan Lawlar and Ryan Waldschmidt, however the open DH spot offers the workforce some flexibility in pursuing somebody like Kwan, if a commerce may be labored out with Cleveland.
Giants: Casey Schmitt and Drew Gilbert challenge because the regulars in left and middle discipline, assuming Marcelo Mayer performs nicely sufficient at second base to maintain Schmitt in a nook outfield function. It’s not the best of mixtures and Kwan would definitely be an enormous improve, however the Giants could also be extra apt to spend their commerce capital to handle bigger wants on the pitching employees. San Francisco has been unwilling to speculate closely in pitching, so if the workforce prefers to amass arms through commerce, the Giants may spend on a much bigger free agent bat within the outfield.
Mariners: Returning to Morosi’s report, would one thing like a Kwan-for-Logan Gilbert deal make sense? Gilbert’s projected arb wage of $15.4MM is increased than Kwan’s, however he’d be a high-end manner for the Guardians to bolster an already-strong rotation. Realistically, Gilbert is much less of a match for Cleveland than Kwan can be for Seattle, as left fielder Randy Arozarena is anticipated to depart in free company.
Marlins: Kwan can be a pleasant add for a membership in search of nook outfield choices, plus Kwan can fill in as a middle fielder since Jakob Marsee is anticipated to overlook a while early within the season whereas he recovers from inside brace surgical procedure. The Marlins have been a borderline contender in every of the final two seasons however making a commerce for an All-Star participant with one yr of workforce management won’t be one thing the membership is prepared or prepared to just do but.
Orioles: Baltimore is within the awkward place of being somewhat crowded when it comes to place gamers, however with a number of uncertainty about mainly your complete group save for Pete Alonso. To this finish, the O’s are reportedly open to at the least discussing everybody however Alonso, which opens the door for the Guardians and different groups to discover all method of fascinating commerce prospects. Buying Kwan would make for a first-choice outfield fully comprised of left-handed hitters (with Kwan becoming a member of Colton Cowser and Dylan Beavers), however that may be a secondary concern for the Orioles behind the bigger-picture want to enhance their common, protection, and phone hitting.
Pirates: Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz have left and middle discipline spoken for in Pittsburgh, and proper discipline initiatives as a timeshare between Ryan O’Hearn and Esmerlyn Valdez. It’s most likely protected to rule the Bucs out on Kwan, although there’s a world the place the Pirates land the Gold Glover and transfer Reynolds or Cruz over to proper discipline, thus bettering the outfield protection by a big margin.
Rangers: Evan Carter gained’t be prepared for Opening Day as a result of a latest hip surgical procedure, plus Carter nonetheless hasn’t absolutely established himself over components of 4 MLB seasons. Texas can use Wyatt Langford in both left or middle discipline however Langford is best fitted to a nook slot, so bringing Kwan in to deal with middle discipline makes a number of sense.
Rays: The like-minded Guardians and Rays have lined up on a number of trades up to now, even when Cleveland remains to be smarting from dropping Junior Caminero and Yandy Diaz. Tampa Bay may additionally be shifting to maneuver some salaries with the intention to reload on cheaper and extra controllable expertise, however the Rays do have a emptiness in middle discipline since Cedric Mullins is unlikely to be re-signed.
Yankees: Between Aaron Decide, Spencer Jones, Cody Bellinger, and Jasson Dominguez, the Bronx outfield is already fairly crowded. The DH spot supplies little aid since Giancarlo Stanton remains to be round, plus Luis Garcia Jr. and Ben Rice shall be splitting first base/DH duties if Garcia isn’t given one other have a look at second base. The jury remains to be out on whether or not or not Jones can maintain his personal defensively in middle discipline, so whereas it’s not out of the query that Kwan could possibly be focused, the Yankees most likely will focus extra on their infield wants.
