Whoa, this would be massive.
There are some ideas that can catch you off guard. That's what ESPN's MLB insider Jeff Passan provided at the bottom of his new expectations heading into the MLB trade deadline.
Passan chose a "best match" for the Cincinnati Reds, and it was a totally unexpected name: Cleveland Guardians left-fielder Steven Kwan.
That'd be a massive deal from one end of Ohio to the other.
Here is Passan's logic:
With a sneaky-deep farm system, the Reds could put together the sort of package to convince Cleveland to move Kwan, a two-time All-Star who in his four seasons ranks fifth in wins above replacement among all outfielders, behind only Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Kyle Tucker and Julio Rodríguez. Kwan's bat-to-ball and defensive skills in left field are elite, and with free agency not beckoning until after the 2027 season, sandwiching him between TJ Friedl and Elly De La Cruz strengthens a Reds lineup that could use an offensive infusion.
If the cost to acquire Kwan is too high, other good options exist, chief among them Marcell Ozuna, the Atlanta slugger whose swing was built for Great American Ball Park. With a rotation that includes All-Star Andrew Abbott, Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Chase Burns, the Reds are a terrifying postseason opponent. Another bat would buttress the rotation and give Cincinnati an opportunity to turn potential into its first postseason series win in three decades.
This would be shocking on both sides.
MORE:Aaron Judge breaks Mickey Mantle's single-season franchise record, and it's still July
Would Cleveland really trade the fan favorite Kwan?
If the Guardians will, it'd be a way bigger upgrade than you might expect to be available for Cincinnati at the trade deadline.
The Reds should make the call and offer everything they can to Kwan. He's got the perfect skillset to age gracefully.
And if the Guardians will really listen, Cincinnati has a chance to pull off a heist from Cleveland.
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Category: Baseball
