The MLB trade deadline continues to create ripple effects, with the Cleveland Guardians finding themselves at the center of ongoing speculation surrounding outfielder Steven Kwan.
While the organization has made it clear they are not actively shopping their two-time All-Star, they have acknowledged their willingness to listen to potential offers.
This stance has ignited considerable discussion throughout MLB circles and among the Cleveland fan base about what direction the team might take.
The debate has drawn various inputs, including Cleveland’s Adam “the Bull” Gerstenhaber, who recently shared his perspective on the situation.
“Kwan’s a very good player, but he is not a superstar. I would 100% be open-minded to trading him in the right deal… If you’re the GM of a team, you have to be open-minded to at least listening – on almost any player. I think you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t. That said, it would take a lot for me to trade Kwan. I probably wouldn’t do it. They probably wouldn’t do it. I’d be very surprised if they end up trading him right now,” Gerstenhaber said on a recent segment of the ‘Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show.’
.@adamthebull reacts to the trade rumors surrounding the #Guardians All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan.
▶️: https://t.co/sVS2AH2y79 pic.twitter.com/RfDeobY1tz
— Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show (@ultCLEsports) July 22, 2025
Kwan’s performance this season provides context for why teams might be interested.
Through 93 games, he has maintained a .288/.352/.398 slash line with six home runs, 32 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases.
His plate discipline remains elite, leading MLB in contact rate while ranking in the 99th percentile for strikeout avoidance.
The defensive side of his game has been equally impressive, earning three consecutive Gold Gloves.
The Guardians sit at 50-50, just 2.5 games behind the final American League Wild Card spot.
Moving Kwan would signal a shift toward future planning rather than competing this season.
With team control extending through 2027, Cleveland faces the classic trade deadline dilemma of maximizing current value versus building around a proven talent.
NEXT: Guardians Writer Notes Important Travis Bazzana Development
