Steven Kwan is once again a name to watch as the Cleveland Guardians head into a pivotal offseason.
After Cleveland came up short in the playoffs, the roster is set for a round of tough decisions. The Guardians did make it to the American League Championship Series, but their run ended with a six-game loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Now the focus shifts to what comes next, and Kwan is firmly in the middle of that conversation.
MLB analyst Dayn Perry of CBS Sports laid out several possible landing spots if Cleveland decides to move the veteran outfielder. Four teams came up as serious possibilities: the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and Seattle Mariners. Any of them could enter the mix if the Guardians make Kwan available, though other clubs could also jump into the bidding.
There’s a clear reason this keeps coming up. Kwan is entering the final year of his contract, and Cleveland has often been reluctant to pay top dollar to keep players once they get close to free agency. That makes this offseason feel like a natural time for the Guardians to consider a deal before he reaches the open market.
Kwan’s production only adds to the intrigue. He’s coming off a 5.0 WAR season for the second time in his MLB career, and he delivered another steady year at the plate with a .282 average, three home runs, 32 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, and a .731 OPS.
He’s been a familiar name in trade chatter for a while now, and Cleveland’s history of moving core pieces before they hit their walk year only keeps the speculation alive. With Kwan slated for free agency after next season, the Guardians have a decision to make - and a market that could be ready if they choose to listen.
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