Should the Baltimore Orioles Target Steven Kwan?

The Baltimore Orioles should consider trading for Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan, but only if the asking price is reasonable. 

Cleveland rarely extends its own players. Outside of Jose Ramirez and Tanner Bibee, the Guardians have not made many long-term commitments, and Kwan has one year of club control left with no extension in sight.

That is exactly the situation that leads to a trade. Baltimore knows how this works. They acquired Taylor Ward under similar circumstances last winter in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels. They got production out of him and moved on when it made sense. If Kwan struggles or the Orioles fall out of contention again, they can do the same thing.

Kwan hit .282 with 152 hits, three home runs, 32 RBIs and a .382 on-base percentage in 2026. He scored 80 runs and stole 10 bases in 151 games.

His counting stats are modest, which will shape how the market views him, but the underlying numbers tell a different story. He ranks in the top 10% of the league in strikeout rate and walk rate.

He posted a 5.3 bWAR, his highest since his rookie season in 2022, and his second half was especially strong. He hit .353 with a .443 on-base percentage and drew 39 walks against 26 strikeouts over 62 games after the All-Star break. The 29-year-old has won four consecutive Gold Gloves. He is an elite defender. 

Trading Kwan now could bring back younger, cheaper talent rather than losing him for nothing when he reaches free agency. 

Baltimore’s hesitation should be the return cost. The Orioles finished 79-82 and have multiple priorities this offseason, including replacing Trevor Rogers if he walks in free agency and finding bullpen depth.

Spending top prospect capital on one year of Kwan while the rotation is still a problem would be putting resources in the wrong place.

If Cleveland’s ask is a secondary package rather than a core piece like Colton Cowser or Heston Kjerstad, the Orioles should listen. Kwan’s defense alone makes him worth a conversation. But Baltimore cannot afford to mortgage its future for a one-season rental, and Cleveland knows what he is worth.

If the price is right, Kwan steps in as the everyday corner outfielder the Orioles need after Tyler O’Neill’s 2026 season fell apart with a shoulder injury. A reliable left-handed contact hitter who gets on base gives Baltimore something O’Neill has never delivered consistently.