The Cubs have a lot to sort out this offseason, and left field is right near the top of the list. With turnover looming and free agency looking thin, Chicago may need to get creative if it wants to reshape the roster for another postseason push.
That’s where Steven Kwan enters the picture.
According to Robert Murray of FanSided, Kwan is a name to watch in trade talks this offseason, and he specifically pointed to the Cubs as a team worth monitoring. It makes sense on paper.
Chicago already has an identity built on run prevention, and Kwan would slide neatly into that approach. He’s an All-Star left fielder with elite defense, and his four straight Gold Glove Awards would give the Cubs instant stability in left field.
That matters for a team that was the best defensive club in baseball, both by the numbers and by plenty of outside evaluation. Kwan’s glove is the selling point here, and it is a major one. He would fit cleanly into a defense-first roster that already does a lot of things well.
The bat, though, is a different story. Kwan isn’t a power threat, and the production line from last season shows it: three home runs, a .731 OPS, and a .282 average.
He spent most of his time in the leadoff spot, which is worth noting because Pete Crow-Armstrong thrived in that role last season. If Chicago brought Kwan in, the better fit might be lower in the order, possibly as the ninth hitter, where he could add some stability at the bottom and help turn over the lineup.
The other reason Kwan stands out is the price tag. In his final year, he is projected to make around $11 million, which is manageable for a Cubs team with room to maneuver. That number could also come in below what Ian Happ or Seyia Suzuki land in free agency, and both outfielders remain uncertain to return.
For a club looking to upgrade without forcing the issue in a weak free-agent class, Kwan looks like a real option. He may not bring thunder with the bat, but he would give the Cubs exactly what they often value: elite defense, lineup flexibility, and a cost that fits the moment.
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