Steven Kwan’s name has been at the center of trade speculation all offseason. He is entering his final year of team control, and the Cleveland Guardians have a long history of moving stars at that point rather than letting them walk. Plenty of analysts expected a deal to come together quickly this winter. A new report suggests the timing, and possibly the type of trade, could look very different than anyone expected. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that players with one year of control left, including Kwan, “are unlikely to be moved for prospects this month.”
“Hearing MLB trade candidates with 1 year of control left — Logan Gilbert, Steven Kwan, Joe Ryan, Sandy Alcántara, et al — are unlikely to be moved for prospects this month, because teams aren’t sure what kind of 2027 season to expect. However, sources say pending free agents could be moved *for each other* as a way to balance the risk,” Morosi wrote.
Hearing MLB trade candidates with 1 year of control left — Logan Gilbert, Steven Kwan, Joe Ryan, Sandy Alcántara, et al — are unlikely to be moved for prospects this month, because teams aren’t sure what kind of 2027 season to expect.
However, sources say pending free agents…
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 8, 2026
The reason is uncertainty. The collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1, and a lockout is widely expected. MLB is pushing for a salary cap and floor, the players’ union is strongly opposed, and nobody knows how long a work stoppage could last. Morosi reported that teams are not sure what kind of 2027 season to expect, which makes them hesitant to give up young talent for a player who could leave after one year, especially if that year ends up shortened.
Kwan is not alone. Morosi listed Seattle’s Logan Gilbert, Minnesota’s Joe Ryan and Miami’s Sandy Alcántara among the other notable trade candidates in the same situation.
Cleveland’s biggest needs this winter are on the pitching side, with Foster Griffin expected to leave in free agency.
Kwan would bring plenty of value to any team. He hit .282 with 80 runs scored this season, posted 5.0 WAR for the second time in his career and saved 17 runs on defense while splitting time between left and center field. He is projected to earn about $11.3 million in arbitration, a reasonable price for that production.
There is also the possibility that Kwan simply stays. Chris Antonetti has called him a big part of the 2027 team, and the Guardians are coming off a trip to the ALCS. If the trade market stays frozen through the winter, Cleveland may decide its best move is to keep one of its most dependable players and make another run.
Either way, Morosi’s report suggests fans should not expect a Kwan trade before the lockout. If a deal does happen, it might look very different from the prospect heavy packages Cleveland has received for stars in the past.
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