Guardians' Steven Kwan Named Trade Candidate For AL East Team

The Cleveland Guardians fell short of their quest to reach the World Series this season, falling in six games in the American League Championship Series to the Tampa Bay Rays.

After taking a 2-1 series lead over Tampa Bay, the Guardians proceeded to lose three straight games, including two at home. It was a bitter ending for a team that put together such a strong season and postseason, but there is a lot to build on entering the offseason.

However, the front office now has a lot of work to do, and with the impending lockout coming, nobody really knows what to expect. Cleveland has some tough decisions to make around the roster, with one being centered on outfielder Steven Kwan.

Kwan has been linked to trade rumors for years now, but the Guardians have held off moving the All-Star so far. But the veteran will be entering the final year of his contract, and this could see Cleveland start the trade talks back up.

Heading into the final year of him being arbitration eligible, Kwan is being projected to land at $11.3 million for next season. The Guardians have historically traded players once the price tag gets to be too high, and this could be the move with Kwan this offseason.

If the Guardians do decide to finally trade Kwan this offseason, there will be a handful of teams interested in his services. Cleveland could create a semi bidding war for the All-Star outfielder, hoping to get a larger return.

One team that could be a strong landing spot for Kwan is the Toronto Blue Jays, who desperately need help in left field. MLB analyst Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report named Kwan as a possible trade candidate for the Blue Jays this offseason.

Toronto saw multiple players take over in left field this year, and it ended up hurting the team down the line. But if the Blue Jays were to land Kwan, it could fix one of the larger problems for the team heading into 2027.

Kwan had another strong year for Cleveland, hitting .282 with three home runs, 32 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases, while posting an OPS of .731. The All-Star could net the Guardians a nice haul in a potential trade this offseason, with the team looking to potentially get a little cheaper.

Cleveland could always keep Kwan, looking to go after a World Series title in 2027. But given how the Guardians have typically operated, a trade of the All-Star seems likely.