As the Winter Meetings approach, the trade rumor mill is heating up - and two of the American League Central’s brightest stars are right in the middle of it. Steven Kwan and Tarik Skubal have both landed on ESPN’s list of the top 25 trade candidates, and while neither is a lock to be moved, the fact that they’re even on the list says plenty about where things stand with their current clubs.
Steven Kwan: A Name That Won’t Go Away
Let’s start with Steven Kwan. The Guardians’ outfielder was a hot name at the deadline last summer, but Cleveland ultimately held firm and made a postseason run with him still in the lineup. Fast forward to now, and while the Guardians haven’t made any public moves toward an extension, Kwan remains very much in the trade conversation - and that chatter is only expected to intensify during the Winter Meetings.
Kwan came in at No. 10 on ESPN’s list, which might feel a little low considering his value, but the names ahead of him soften the blow - especially the one at the very top.
Tarik Skubal: The Cy Young Ace on the Block?
That would be Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ lefty just wrapped up a dominant 2025 campaign, posting a 2.21 ERA across 195 1/3 innings and locking down his second consecutive American League Cy Young Award. He’s not just an All-Star - he’s a legitimate ace, and arguably one of the best pitchers in baseball right now.
But even Cy Youngs don’t guarantee job security. Despite Skubal’s elite production, contract talks between him and the Tigers have reportedly hit a massive roadblock. One report pegged the gap between the two sides at around $250 million - a number that speaks volumes about how far apart they are in extension negotiations.
Still, the Tigers aren’t exactly waving the white flag. According to ESPN’s report, Detroit has shown no signs of backing off their stance that Skubal isn’t going anywhere.
He’s under team control through 2026, and the Tigers plan to contend in 2026 with him as the centerpiece of their rotation. So while other execs might believe Skubal could be moved, Detroit isn’t acting like a team ready to deal its ace.
Twins Trio Joins the Trade Watch
The AL Central didn’t stop with Kwan and Skubal. The Twins had three players land in the top 10 of the trade candidate list: Byron Buxton (No.
5), Joe Ryan (No. 6), and Pablo López (No. 8).
That’s a serious trio of talent, and their inclusion signals that Minnesota could be on the verge of a major shakeup.
Buxton, who reportedly may be open to waiving his no-trade clause, adds another layer of intrigue. Meanwhile, Ryan and López were both given a 50% chance of being dealt - a coin flip that could reshape the Twins’ rotation and the division landscape in one move.
Where Does That Leave the AL Central?
If Minnesota does pull the trigger on one or more of those deals, it could signal a shift in the division’s balance of power. The Guardians, Tigers, and Royals would likely become the three teams to watch in what’s shaping up to be a wide-open AL Central race.
And interestingly, both Detroit and Kansas City were named as potential landing spots for Kwan - a sign that the Guardians’ outfielder is drawing interest from within the division. Kwan’s trade probability was pegged at 25%, which isn’t high, but it’s not nothing either. The belief among league executives is that he’ll likely stay put this winter, but with no extension in place, the clock is ticking.
Other Guardians Notes
Kwan was the only Guardians player to crack the top 25 list, though Cleveland was mentioned as a possible destination for other players on the market, including Brendan Donovan and CJ Abrams. That suggests the Guardians are keeping their options open - both in terms of potential trades out and possible additions.
The Calm Before the Storm
Right now, we’re in the thick of trade rumor season - that sweet spot on the baseball calendar when speculation runs wild and every name on a list can spark a dozen possibilities. But the Winter Meetings are where things start to get real. If the buzz around Kwan, Skubal, and the Twins’ trio is any indication, we could be in for a flurry of action that reshapes the AL Central before the holidays even hit.
Stay tuned. This division might look very different by the time the dust settles.