The Cleveland Guardians find themselves at a familiar crossroads - one that fans have seen before when it comes to homegrown stars nearing the end of their rookie deals. This time, the name in the spotlight is Steven Kwan.
Kwan’s name has been floating around in trade rumors since the summer, but as of now, he’s still in Cleveland. That hasn’t stopped the speculation - and for good reason. The Guardians have a track record of moving key players when they’re two years out from free agency, and Kwan fits that timeline.
But here’s the dilemma: Kwan isn’t just another solid contributor. He’s one of Cleveland’s most valuable players - a Gold Glove outfielder and arguably their second-best bat. Losing him would be a major blow to a lineup that already leans heavily on contact hitters and defensive efficiency.
Still, if the Guardians decide to move him, there’s no shortage of teams that would jump at the chance to land a player like Kwan - and one franchise in particular has emerged as a compelling fit: the Seattle Mariners.
There’s a lot to like about that potential match. For starters, it would be a bit of a homecoming for Kwan, who made his name at Oregon State and would be just a few hours from Corvallis.
But beyond the sentimental angle, there’s a real baseball case here. Seattle could use a boost in the outfield, especially in the corners, and pairing Kwan with Julio Rodríguez would instantly elevate the Mariners' defensive profile.
Offensively, Kwan’s high-contact, high-OBP approach would be a perfect fit at the top of Seattle’s lineup. He’s not going to slug 30 homers, but he sets the table - and sets it well.
Dropping him in front of Cal Raleigh, Rodríguez, and his former Cleveland teammate Josh Naylor? That’s the kind of lineup construction that makes a manager’s job a little easier.
And let’s not overlook the return Cleveland could get in a deal like this. Seattle’s farm system is stacked, with eight prospects ranked in the top 100. If the Guardians decide to move Kwan, they’d be in position to secure multiple high-upside pieces - the kind of young talent that could keep their competitive window open without a full rebuild.
Of course, there’s no guarantee a trade happens. The Guardians may decide to hold onto Kwan and make another run with their current core. But the logic behind a move is clear, and the Mariners offer one of the more intriguing trade scenarios out there - both in terms of fit and return.
It’s the kind of deal that makes you pause and think - not just about what’s best for the Guardians, but what’s best for Kwan, too. If he does move on, Seattle might be the rare landing spot that checks both boxes.