Report: Cleveland Guardians Open to Steven Kwan Trade, 4 Landing Spots

The Cleveland Guardians are shaping up to be potential sellers at the MLB trade deadline, with All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase generating significant interest. However, recent MLB trade rumors now suggest that All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan could be moved for the right price.

ESPN‘s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel ranked MLB trade candidates, listing Kwan as the second-best player. While Passan noted that Cleveland wants to keep Kwan, he added that the organization might at least be receptive to a deal.

“Cleveland doesn’t want to deal him, but with a dearth of available bats, the Guardians at the very least will listen to see whether teams are willing to blow them away with offers.
Cleveland doesn’t want to deal him, but with a dearth of available bats, the Guardians at the very least will listen to see whether teams are willing to blow them away with offers.”

ESPN’s Jeff Passan on the Cleveland Guardians potentially trading Steven Kwan

While the likelihood of a trade is listed at just 20 percent, it’s at least worth examining which MLB teams stand out as the best landing spots for a deal.

San Diego Padres

There might not be a team more desperate than the San Diego Padres for a quality left fielder. Entering play on July 22, Padres’ left fielders had a collective .228/.289/.348 triple-slash line and rated below average defensively.

• Steven Kwan stats (ESPN): .288/.352/.398, .750 OPS, 11 steals, 44 runs scored

Steven Kwan is perfect for San Diego. A Gold Glove Award winner in three consecutive seasons, the California native leads all left fielders in Defensive Runs Saved (13) this season. San Diego would be acquiring an all-around left fielder who provides everything the team needs and is under contract through 2027.

Related: MLB Trade Deadline Predictions, including the Padres

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies signed Max Kepler in free agency, hoping he could recapture the form that resulted in an .816 OPS in 2023. Instead, his numbers (.205/.302/.360) are even worse than last season’s (.253/.302/.380). It’s beyond time for Philadelphia to make a change in left field, and Kwan is an ideal target for several reasons.

• Steven Kwan contract (Spotrac): $4.175 million salary (2025), arbitration eligible (2026), arbitration eligible (2027)

First, acquiring Kwan means keeping a left-handed hitter in the Phillies’ lineup while significantly upgrading in the process. In addition to the offensive improvement, Philadelphia would transition from a left fielder who ranks in the 36th percentile for Fielding Run Value (-1) to Kwan’s 83rd percentile FRV (+4). Even better from a long-term perspective, Kwan’s salary over the next two seasons makes it easier for the Phillies to afford the next Kyle Schwarber deal.

Related:Phillies’ Aggressive Stance on MLB Trade Deadline Detailed

New York Mets

The New York Mets ideally would love to find a quality center fielder at the MLB trade deadline. Luis Robert Jr. is an intriguing option, but he comes with a lot of risk and is only a short-term fix. If Mets owner Steve Cohen is willing to take a bit of a gamble, a Steven Kwan trade could prove to be very worthwhile for the Mets lineup.

In terms of how this would work, Kwan would take over in left field, where his Gold Glove defense plays best. This means moving Brandon Nimmo back to center field. He played 136 games there in 2023 and fared very poorly defensively (-7 Defensive Runs Saved). Years later, he certainly won’t be any better. This move would be entirely about improving a Mets lineup that ranks 16th in runs scored (442) since June 1. Tyrone Taylor can be a defensive replacement late in games for Nimmo.

Related: New York Mets Interested in Trade for Unheralded Reliever

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays’ top priority at the MLB trade deadline should be starting pitching. Ideally, the front office’s aggressive approach results in top prospects being moved for a front-line starter. One alternative, though, would be acquiring a mid-rotation starter while going all-in on a Steven Kwan trade.

Heading into MLB games today, Toronto ranks first in batting average (.260) and second in on-base percentage (.332), so Kwan might seem like an unnecessary addition. However, Blue Jays’ left fielders have a .237 batting average this season. Kwan would make the Blue Jays lineup even stronger and he is also a defensive upgrade in left field. Besides, Anthony Santander (shoulder) is still without a timetable for a return.

Read More: Best Mitch Keller Trade Destinations, including Blue Jays

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