The Cleveland Guardians reportedly got calls on All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan at the trade deadline, but they opted to hold on to him in hopes they could erase the 1 1/2 game deficit in the wild card standings. No matter the results of this season, R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports expects that the rumors will swirl again in the offseason around the two-time All-Star.
Kwan has been an integral part of the Guardians’ lineup and success, but it remains to be seen how the soon-to-be 28-year-old’s athletic profile will change over time. If the Guardians project an early decline from their outfielder, they could look to take advantage of the two remaining years of team control and load up their farm system in an offseason deal.
Kwan was sought after by the San Diego Padres, per reports, but after trading for Mason Miller, the Padres had already dealt Leo De Vries, baseball’s No. 3 prospect, who was the headliner the Guardians were asking for. This stalled conversations with San Diego and the Guardians had to move on, ultimately keeping their outfielder.
The Guardians’ intentions for the winter are unclear, but if they believe their championship window is closing, Kwan may be on the trading block. The Detroit Tigers have a stranglehold on the division this season, and with much of their core on multi-year contracts, they could be in that position for a while.
If Guardians indeed were shopping Kwan at the trade deadline, it would not be surprising to see rumors build once the season ends.
