At the start of this week, Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan wasn’t viewed as a likely trade candidate. But as the Trade Deadline draws ever closer (Thursday, 6 p.m. ET), that may be starting to change.
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required), the loss of Clase has not only eliminated any chance of the 52-54 Guardians becoming Trade Deadline buyers but also increased the possibility of the club dealing Kwan and right-hander Shane Bieber, who is slated to make a rehab start for Double-A Akron as he continues his comeback from right elbow surgery.
Kwan in particular is drawing a “ton” of interest, with Rosenthal naming the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Phillies and Padres among the teams believed to be in the mix.
Kwan doesn’t offer much power, but he is one of MLB’s best contact hitters, ranking in the 100th percentile in whiff rate and the 99th percentile in strikeout rate this year while slashing .287/.351/.411 (111 OPS+) with nine homers and 20 doubles over 100 games. Kwan is also regarded as one of the top defensive left fielders in baseball, winning Gold Gloves in each of his first three seasons.
At first glance, it might seem odd for a team that ranks near the bottom of the league in runs scored to consider moving one of its most reliable bats. But with Clase no longer available as a possible trade chip, the Guardians may be forced to consider other ways to reshape their roster — including dealing Kwan.
Of course, it’s still going to take quite a haul to get the Guardians to part with the 27-year-old, who is earning $4.175 million this season and has two years of club control remaining after 2025. But in light of recent developments, the possibility of a Kwan trade feels far more realistic than it did Sunday.
