The Guardians are already popping up in offseason trade talk, and one of the first names tied to them is center fielder Steven Kwan. CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa connected Cleveland to the Texas Rangers, who are searching for help in center field.
“Jarren Duran (Red Sox) and Steven Kwan (Guardians) stand out as center field trade candidates, though Kwan in particular will come at a high price. A cheaper, defense-first stopgap like, say, Denzel Clarke (Athletics) or Blake Perkins (Guardians) may be the best short-term option while Carter is on the mend,” Axisa wrote.
Kwan made the move from left field to center and handled it well enough to earn an AL Gold Glove Award nomination there. Before that, he had won four straight Gold Gloves in left field from 2022 to 2025.
His season at the plate was a tale of two halves: a rough first half that nearly pushed him out of the lineup and knocked him out of the leadoff spot, followed by a strong rebound after the break. He finished with a .282/.382/.349 line and a 114 wRC+.
There’s also the contract angle. Kwan is heading into his final year of arbitration, which could make him available if Cleveland likes the return enough.
If the Guardians decide to move a less expensive option instead, Blake Perkins fits that bill. Cleveland acquired him in the Craig Yoho transaction before the deadline, and he never appeared for the big-league club. Perkins carries a career line of .223/.307/.330 with an 81 wRC+, and his value is built around defense rather than the bat.
However it shakes out, Cleveland looks like a team that will be busy in trade discussions, and at least one outfielder could be on the move.
In Other News...
Guardians Just Lost A Key Piece Of Their Pitching Pipeline
After 10 seasons in Cleveland, Joe Torres is moving on to join the Cincinnati Reds as their major league pitching coach, taking over the role vacated by Derek Johnson. Torres had become a familiar and important part of the Guardians pitching operation, working closely with the staff and helping guide a number of young arms through their development.
For the Guardians, the timing matters as much as the departure itself. They now have to find someone to step into that lane alongside pitching coach Carl Willis for the 2027 season, and replacing a longtime voice in the room is never a simple matter when a club has leaned on that continuity to shape its pipeline. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Lose Another Pitching Voice As Francona Reunites With Familiar Staffer
Another familiar pitching voice is leaving Clevelands staff, with Joe Torres set to take over as the Reds head pitching coach under Terry Francona. Torres has been with the Guardians organization since 2017, working his way through a series of minor league coaching roles before moving into his major league assistant pitching coach job in 2022.
For the Guardians, the move adds another layer of turnover to a pitching group that has leaned on continuity in recent seasons. There is no replacement announced yet, leaving one more opening for the club to sort out as it looks to keep its staff intact heading into the next phase of the offseason. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Infield Squeeze May Have Cost A Prospect His Cleveland Future
Jose Devers time in the Guardians system appears to be over after he elected minor league free agency, a move that came after Cleveland declined to add him to the 40-man roster following the 2026 season. The infielder had reached Double-A Akron and was in the middle of his best offensive year before an injury ended his season in July, a frustrating finish for a player who had finally started to build some momentum.
Devers spent six seasons in the organization and brought the kind of versatility and speed that usually keeps a player in the conversation, but Clevelands infield picture has been crowded for a while. With no roster spot available and no clear path to one, his departure underscores how difficult it can be for a prospect to break through even after making real progress. [Read more 🡒]