Following weeks of speculation, the Cleveland Guardians opted to keep Steven Kwan.
The outfielder seemed to be off-limits in trade talks for most of the season, but the fact that he hasn’t signed a contract extension sparked rumors about his potential departure.
However, the Guardians did not trade him before the deadline, but it wasn’t because of a lack of interest.
According to a report by ESPN insider Jeff Passan, the San Diego Padres were quite eager to get their hands on Kwan, up to the point where they even considered trading one of their most prominent prospects.
“Heading into deadline season, Leo De Vries, the 18-year-old, switch-hitting shortstop who was the prize of the San Diego Padres’ farm system, was considered off-limits in any trade conversation. Three days before the deadline, though, Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller showed a willingness to discuss him in potential deals for A’s closer Mason Miller and Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan,” Passan wrote.
Kwan has established himself as one of the best outfielders in the game, and the fact that the Guardians didn’t move him despite that interest speaks volumes about how they feel about him.
They also didn’t have to trade him right now.
He’s under team control through the 2027 season, and it makes more sense to continue trying to convince him to sign an extension.
If they can’t strike a deal, perhaps the Guardians can reassess their stance on him in the offseason.
Kwan has emerged as a fan favorite, a perennial Gold Glove candidate, and an All-Star, and with all of Cleveland’s struggles in the outfield, it was hard to envision it getting better by moving him.
The Guardians still have a chance as long as Kwan and Jose Ramirez are on the field.
NEXT: Guardians Receive Top-Tier Recognition For 1 Trade Deadline Move
