Blockbuster Trade Rumor: Guardians Could Deal Gold Glove Star Steven Kwan Before Deadline

CLEVELAND — As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches, “Steven Kwan trade rumors” have become the hottest storyline in Cleveland Guardians news. Multiple league sources confirm that rival clubs have phoned the Guardians about the 27-year-old All-Star left fielder, and Cleveland is listening. Why contenders covet Kwan Kwan is slashing .285/.368/.409 with nine home runs, 37 RBI and 18 stolen bases through July 30, numbers that pair with elite contact skills and back-to-back Gold Glove Awards in left field. He ranks near the top of MLB in both contact rate and pitches per plate appearance, qualities playoff hopefuls crave at the top of the lineup. Because he is under club control through the 2027 season, Kwan offers far more than a rental bat, boosting his value even further. Guardians’ delicate calculus Cleveland entered the week just 2.5 games out in the AL Central, yet president of baseball ops Mike Chernoff must weigh Kwan’s peak trade value against a roster that still expects to contend next season. Front-office insiders describe the club’s stance as “open but not urgent,” noting that the Guardians are setting a high asking price built around multiple top-100 prospects or ready-made major-league pitching. Landing-spot power rankings 1. Los Angeles Dodgers — LA’s deep farm system and need for a true table-setter in left make the Dodgers the perceived frontrunner. 2. Toronto Blue Jays — Toronto’s right-heavy lineup is starving for a left-handed contact bat; top pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann could headline a package. 3. St. Louis Cardinals — With corner-outfield defense eroding, the Cards view Kwan as a long-term solution and have excess controllable arms to offer. 4. San Diego Padres — A reunion with former college teammate Nick Martinez is appealing, but San Diego may balk at the cost. What a blockbuster could look like Industry executives suggest that any Kwan deal will resemble the Guardians’ 2021 swap of Francisco Lindor, combining major-league contributors with blue-chip prospects. For example, a Dodgers proposal could feature right-hander Bobby Miller, outfielder Josue De Paula and Double-A infielder Jorbit Vivas. Cleveland would replenish its pitching pipeline while maintaining short-term competitiveness. Risks of standing pat If Cleveland keeps Kwan and misses the postseason, his value could dip as club control shortens. The Guardians also face looming arbitration raises for Shane Bieber, Emmanuel Clase and Andrés Giménez, tightening payroll flexibility. Moving Kwan now could pre-empt future budget crunches while capitalizing on a seller’s market for on-base specialists. Fan reaction and clubhouse impact Kwan’s high-energy style and community presence have made him a fan favorite at Progressive Field. Teammates describe him as “the spark plug of the lineup,” and trading him would send shockwaves through a young clubhouse. Yet veterans acknowledge that baseball is a business, and several pointed to last year’s Josh Bell deal as proof the front office won’t hesitate to act decisively. Outlook Barring a late July surge that vaults the Guardians into firm playoff position, expect Kwan rumors to intensify by the hour. Cleveland’s track record of maximizing asset value suggests the club will move the left fielder if an offer satisfies its lofty price tag. For contenders desperate for contact, speed and Gold Glove defense, Steven Kwan may be the piece that tips the scales in October.