Phillies Could Pursue Trade for Perennial Gold Glover

The Philadelphia Phillies will certainly be looking to bolster their outfield this offseason, but the problem is that the free-agent crop is pretty light.

Trades are a possibility, though, and one player the Phillies could potentially try and acquire is Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan.

Kwan has won four consecutive Gold Gloves and has been named a finalist to win his fifth straight this season. Historically a left fielder, Kwan actually spent slightly more time in center field in 2026, and he was fantastic.

That flexibility is incredibly valuable, and it will absolutely catch Philadelphia's attention. As will Kwan's .382 OBP.

Kwan is definitely not a big bopper. He managed just three home runs this year, and he topped out at 14 in 2024. He's also unbelievably streaky.

The 29-year-old slashed .225/.332/.282 before the All-Star break this season before bouncing back with a .353/.443/.432 slash line afterward, and it's certainly not the first time we have seen such extremes from Kwan.

But he would still represent a significant upgrade over what the Phillies currently have in their outfield.

A lifetime .282/.357/.382 hitter, Kwan at least knows how to get on base (he owns a career 10.1 percent walk rate) and is a sure thing defensively.

The question, of course, would be the cost.

Kwan only has one year of club control remaining, which should soften the blow for Philadelphia. But the Guardians aren't just going to give him away, either.

Cleveland is smack dab in the middle of a Cinderella run that has found the club in the ALCS for the second time in three years, so it technically doesn't have to move Kwan this winter. But based on the Guardians' history, fielding trade offers seems likely.

The Phillies don't have a ton to offer. We know their farm system is thin, and Cleveland would probably immediately inquire about pitcher Gage Wood and infielder Aidan Miller.

Is Kwan worth either of those two top prospects? Debatable. I've long felt Kwan is a bit overrated due to his pedestrian bat (lifetime .739 OPS). The problem is that Philadelphia doesn't have a whole lot else in its organization.

If the Phillies are going to make a significant trade this offseason, one of Wood or Miller will probably have to be involved, and Kwan could be one of the top players available. He would also fill a gaping need for the squad.

The Guardians will probably entertain trade offers for Kwan in the coming months. The Phillies at least owe it to themselves to pursue him.