The Cleveland Guardians’ season has barely ended, and the trade speculation is already heating up around one of their most popular players. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller took an early look at the most likely trade for all 30 teams this offseason, and his pick for Cleveland is sure to make plenty of fans uneasy. Steven Kwan is entering his final season before free agency, and he is projected to earn around $11.3 million through arbitration in 2027. That combination has made him one of the most talked about names in Cleveland heading into the winter. Miller did not hold back when laying out what he believes is the Guardians’ most likely move.
“Cleveland Guardians: A Trade of Steven Kwan,” Miller wrote. “This past winter was a quiet one for the Guardians. But the previous offseason, they traded away Josh Naylor, Myles Straw and AndrĂ©s GimĂ©nez in a trio of salary dumps. So, even though Kwan has been arguably a top 25 position player over the past five seasons, would anyone be the least bit surprised if they trade him away?”
Kwan has been one of the most consistent players in the organization since Cleveland drafted him in the fifth round out of Oregon State in 2018. After a rough first half this year, he led the majors with a .353 batting average after the All-Star break, drew a career-high 85 walks and was named a Gold Glove finalist in center field. He is also a respected leader in the clubhouse and the table setter at the top of the lineup. Losing that kind of player would leave a significant hole.
On the other hand, Kwan’s value may never be higher. With only one year of team control left, the Guardians could try to flip him for the type of middle of the order power bat they have struggled to find.
The Guardians also have some outfield depth that could soften the blow. Petey Halpin emerged during the postseason with a go-ahead homer in the ALCS and several highlight reel catches in center field. Angel MartĂnez hit eighteen home runs during the regular season, and DeLauter established himself as one of the team’s best hitters. Adell’s future will also be part of the conversation after he hit 23 home runs this year between the Angels and Guardians.
For now, it is all speculation. But with the Guardians coming off a trip to the ALCS and searching for ways to improve the offense, Kwan’s name is likely to come up again and again this winter. Whether Cleveland ultimately pulls the trigger could shape the direction of the franchise for years to come.
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