The Phillies and Padres are two of the many teams that have expressed interest in Steven Kwan, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Both National League contenders are known to be looking for a left field upgrade.
Kwan would be one of the top hitters on the market if the Guardians made him available. Heyman suggests that Cleveland is willing to consider offers but are understandably setting a high asking price. ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote on Tuesday that the Guardians are unlikely to pull the trigger on a Kwan trade. The two-time All-Star is under arbitration control for another two seasons. He’s playing this year on a bargain $4.175MM salary.
Phillies left fielders are hitting .190/.302/.339. Most of that falls on offseason signee Max Kepler, who has not performed as expected on a $10MM deal. Kepler carries a .207/.305/.372 slash with 11 home runs in 328 plate appearances. He has also expressed some frustration about the Phils shielding him from left-handed pitching, though it’s not as if he has forced his way into the lineup with his production. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Phillies tried to move Kepler in a change-of-scenery trade.
That might happen even if the Phils can’t land a bigger bat. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski shed some light on the team’s thought process with outfield prospect Justin Crawford on Monday (link via Matt Gelb of The Athletic). Dombrowski indicated that the 21-year-old Crawford, who is hitting .326/.406/.424 with 29 stolen bases in Triple-A, is on the radar for an MLB promotion. That might wait until after the deadline, however, as the Phils don’t want to call Crawford up only to option him back to the minors if they trade for an everyday outfielder.
“The one thing, if you’re bringing Justin Crawford up at this point, he needs to play,” Dombrowski told reporters. “So that’s the main thing. So we need to kind of just sort out our own situation here and see when he comes up that he’s going to be a guy that’s playing all the time.” Crawford could theoretically push Brandon Marsh out of center field even if the Phils were to acquire a left fielder. There’d be a clearer path to plugging him into left while pushing Kepler to the bench or off the roster entirely if they don’t land an external upgrade.
San Diego planned to open the season with a Jason Heyward/Connor Joe left field platoon. Neither player made it on the roster through the end of June. Gavin Sheets has taken over as the left fielder. The lefty-hitting Sheets has had a strong year at the dish, batting .257/.319/.433 with 14 homers. He has hit a skid this month, though, and he profiles better defensively at first base or designated hitter.
Kwan is one of the best all-around left fielders in the sport. He has won the Gold Glove in each of his first three big league seasons. He’s been an average or better hitter in each year, including a .285/.348/.393 slash in 415 plate appearances this season. Kwan has walked more often than he has struck out in each of the past two seasons. He doesn’t have huge power but has the high-OBP skillset that makes him an ideal leadoff hitter.
As a small-market club, Cleveland tends to be broadly open to considering offers on any player aside from José Ramírez. Each of Emmanuel Clase, Cade Smith and Shane Bieber have come up in trade rumors as well. They’re certainly not locked into selling, however. The Guardians have won three straight and eight of their past 10 to climb back to .500. They’re within 2.5 games of a Wild Card position pending tonight’s results. They have two more games against the Orioles before heading to Kansas City for a weekend series. They’ll host the Rockies for three in their final set before the deadline.
Jays should be kneck deep in this conversation. Kwan is the epitome of type of player they want.
Kwan is a pesky hitter, with some surprising pop, that will definitely drive you nuts. He would definitely be a great get for any playoff team out there.
Jays are set in the OF. Nathan Lukes has had a good season, Loperfido and Straw off the bench. Varsho will be back soon. Barger has been great for the Jays.
Jays are struggling, they just got swept by the Yankees, who are now tied for first.
Huh?
Kwan shall never be on the evil Padres
Or the Phillies.
I am sure more than these two are interested. As for SD, not sure Cleveland would have any interest in players not named Leo.
While a Kwan for Leo deal may never materialize there may be a way to work out a deal amongst the teams
For instance Kwan, Class, and Cleveland’s surplus of SP would all hold appeal to the Padres and a deal would be worked out where Leo would be the headliner heading back in a multiple player deal.
Or potentially a three-team deal. That might enable the Padres to keep Leo, shop out Cease (and more, obviously), while the top prospects come from the third team.
If I’m the Phillies i eat the remainder of Kepler’s contract and package him to Cleveland in a deal for Kwan. Maybe Kwan for Kepler, Aidan Miller and/or Gabriel Rincones?
I believe they already have a glut of shortstops in their system 🤷♂️
Jury is out on where Miller plays on the IF, could be 2B/SS/3B
Cleveland has Ramirez at 3B, the overall #1 pick from the 2024 draft Travis Bazzana for 28.and another top 100 middle infielder in Angel Genao. Cleveland desperately needs Outfielders.
Kepler is useless for the Guardians. Cleveland will want a MLB ready controllable bat in any trade. That is missing in this proposal.
Kwan and Clase for Painter. What the Indians need is a potential ace and Painter is certainly that.
lol You better come with your top 3 prospects AND more if you want the both of them. You’re wild if you think painter gets it done lololol
Painter is a top 10 overall prospect in all of baseball. He’s the kind of guy that never gets traded.
Clase has made 3 all-star games and has been AL Reliever of the year twice. He has three additional years of control.
Kwan has been to 2 all-star games and has had 3 Gold Gloves and has two additional years of control. It will take much more than one top 100 prospect to get both players.
Kwan and Clase are proven major leaguers. Painter is still very much unproven. Think about both teams in the trade.
If the Guardians want to rebuild with a future ace this would be a good way to do it. Both Clase and Kwan are well paid the Guardians can fake that money and spend it to go along with Painter thats the part people tend to forget.
Cleveland isn’t looking to and has no need to rebuild..
Look at their team. Its not good. They dont have the pitching to be a legit contender and are most likely not going to pay for it.
I have looked at their team since 1965. They made the ALCS last year and over the last decade, Cleveland has the 4th best winning percentage in MLB. They have accomplished that by retooling each year. They are not going to change that approach, especially while Jose Ramirez is in his prime.
Plus Crawford and then some more smaller pieces
Don’t say never. Moncada was traded when he was a consensus top 10. I know he didn’t become much, but that’s not the point. I don’t remember where Eloy was ranked when he was traded, but shortly after, he was as high as #2. It’s rare, certainly, but there is precedent.
Kwan’s well paid? He’s at less than $5M/yr. For what he produces, that’s an absolute bargain.
Kwans salary goes up the next 2 years. Thats how arbitration works.
Kepler’s tank is empty.
No other team would want him taking up a roster spot.
Not anymore. Painter is either hurt, gassed or hitting the proverbial wall. He has been ineffective in his last four starts and stands 3-5 with a 4.84 ERA on the year.
Cle would accept that 2 for 1 Painter deal in a heartbeat, don’t think Phils would.
All true, but SP are the most important players in the game. Just look at the salaries they command.
If the Phillies had Clase and Kwan they are definitely a better team the next few years.
You are very wrong Hagar. Cleveland needs to add bats for one. Two, Cleveland is never going to trade putting all of their eggs in one basket. Three, Painter is not worth both all stars. alone. You are totally overrating a prospect.
Do you think the Guardians want to have Kepler included in a trade?
No,
D D isn’t trading Aiden Miller.
If I’m Cleveland, I hold onto him. The wildcard is within reach and, if the Tigers’ downward spiral continues through the deadline, the division may not be out of reach.
100%. Cleveland should be looking for modest adds who won’t cost them anything big. Tommy Pham (at least the Tommy Pham of the last 6 weeks or so) would be a low-risk addition for them. They could easily swing a deal for someone out of the bottom end of their top 30, like Petey Halpin or Josh Nikhazy, since the Pirates are woefully thin on left-handed pitching (Nikhazy is a very much a Bailey Falter type, IMO) and have very little in terms of upper minors OF depth.
doug nikhazy i believe.
I’m a Tiger fan. I think the Tribe (sorry, old habit) will catch the Tigers. Everyone sees the Tigers as 99% locks to make the playoffs. Tigers have 60 wins and 59 games left. 6 games in the last 2 weeks of the season with Cleveland. Tigers finish with 6 on the road at Cleveland and Boston. Both in playoff hunt.
I could easily see the Tigers struggling to get to 85 wins. 25-34 the rest of the way. Their next 10 are vs the Blue Jays, C-backs and Phillies. I bet they don’t win more than 3 of those. They’ll be 63-50 by the end of next week.
Cleveland needs to go 35-27 to tie. Not impossible at all.
If Riley Greene continues to K 40+ % of the time and hit around .200, the Tigers have no chance.
No way the Tribe will catch the Tigers this season. Thy have some good pitching but they cant hit.
Agreed. Well said. Tigers lineup isn’t as good as they have been playing. Their glaring weaknesses are showing.
Please go to the NL. Kwan is a good ball player – Tiger killer, second only to J-Ram.
Every contending team would absolutely love to have this guy.
Now, this is a guy, the guy the Yankees can trade top prospects for. Let’s see a deal to include Ramirez for 3B as well. If that’s the case, everyone available, including Lombard
Ramirez isn’t going anywhere.
He has a full no-trade clause for a reason. Guardian for life.
FNTC isn’t to ensure he remains with the Guardians for life. It’s to make sure he gets a say where he’s dealt in the event they’re having a bad season next couple years and become sellers.
I’m just repeating what he said. Typically a limited trade clause speaks to what you are talking about. Ramirez has made it very clear he wants to end his career in Cleveland, and he gave them a huge discount.
“ He laid out four objectives when the negotiation process began:
1. He wants to retire in Cleveland
2. He wants to have his jersey retired by the organization
3. He wants to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, representing Cleveland
4. He wants to win a World Series with the Guardians”
mlb.com/amp/news/jose-ramirez-wants-to-retire-with…
It’s hard to see the padres getting him and not having to trade for DeVries.
Perhaps they move Cease and others for a prospects that Cleveland wants because DeVries would be too much. Cleveland isn’t afraid to take a large package over a single top talent.
If Cleveland decides to become a seller, they’re not going to take a rental like Cease in return.
That’s why I said they move cease for prospects. Can then flip them to Cleveland.
NorCal they wouldn’t want cease.
The Padres have young high upside pitching that the Guardians coul use. The Padres top 2 picks of the 2024 draft is perhaps about right for Kwan. Maybe a bit more.
While Kwan for DeVries is an overpay
You could look at Kwan, Tanner Bibee who’s having a down year but comes with 3.5 years control, and Cj Kayfus 1B/OF #68 for DeVries, Coronil, Verdugo in a multiple player deal
Padres pick up a LF, SP, 1B for a couple seasons for hopefully multiple playoff runs
Cleveland sheds salary picks up an elite prospect and some interesting recent IFAs
Cleveland would never do that trade. That is a complete rebuilding trade which makes absolutely no sense with Ramirez in his prime. Over the last decade, Cleveland has the 4th best winning percentage in MLB. They accomplished this by readjusting and retooling yearly rather than sell out and rebuild.
Cleveland just extended Bibee, while Kayfus will likely be in Cleveland after the deadline, Neither will be traded.
Biebs and Kwan for…?
Salas and Cease?
Seems “likely”
Sure. The Guards want a rental. (Eye roll)
Salas is the “get.” Cease = Biebs, lateral move.
Worse than lateral for Cleveland. With the late start to his year, Bieber is like as not to exercise his option unless he comes back soon and is on fire for the rest of the year. While Cease is definitely a FA after this year. No chance Cleveland wants him, while they might want Bieber to exercise his option, either to contend next year or trade him as a rental then.
Maybe hyrax, maybe not. I highly suspect Biebs opts out- hence my lateral feelings. At least Cease is usable today; the swap then is essentially Salas for 2.5 years of Kwan.
Sanabria and Omar Cruz, toss in a Cobb Hightower
LOL!!!
Kwan would help both teams. A good defender, with great bat to ball skills and can be the leadoff hitter. It just depends on what kind of prospects Cleveland is looking for, but Preller and Dombrowski would absolutely make a deal.
They aren’t interested in prospects. They’re in the hunt.
I’d love for SD to get kwan, but I don’t see that happening if the Padres wanna keep devries or salas
Salas does seem like the type of future catcher Cleveland likes. Glove first, they value that highly. With the potential that his bat comes around.
They would want more than Salas, the padres could add some additional prospects. They have a number of other good arms in the system.
While Kwan is a good player and a major upgrade for them in left. It still feels like the Padres need a right handed power bat.
Perhaps sheets is moved in this deal which gives Cleveland a place holder in left/1b/dh. Allowing the padres to still trade for a righty bat. Guess there is a chance that the padres trade could have sheets come off the bench or trade Arraez/cronenworth. Just trying to see how the padres can fit kwan and a righty power bat in the lineup.
The Guards are in the hunt. Funny how other teams’ fans think.
I could see Kwan as a nice signing offseason, but what the team needs now is a RH bat, preferably with some slug
Kwan is not a rental. Cleveland has two more years of control in 2026 and 2027.
I know he’s not a rental, the Padres need a RH bat now
Trade Kwan now. He is killing the Orioles…he is a terrific ballplayer…why would they trade him?
Smh
Why would they trade him?
The Guards don’t like it when the CBA starts forcing them to pay anything close to market value for their talent. He’s heading to his second arbitration this winter and I’m sure they’d love to skip out on the cheque.
Dolan loves to save a buck whenever possible.
There minority owner is david blitzer that forbes valued at 3.6 billion . Only things blitzer has done is buy john sherman shares about 35 percent and a buy a pro volleyball team in austin texas.
You wrote this exact paragraph last week.
It’s been Cleveland’s way for a while now. Get 4-5 years out of a rookie, trade them, rinse and repeat. Keeps them out of the cellar, but they’re also never all-in.
The Phillies should let Max Kepler complain all the way to the unemployment line.
Seattle should be all over this push randy to right
This sounds like glorious news for my fantasy team
Put the crack pipe down. Miller cant hit in that bandbox minor league stadium. They not going to trade kwan for that garbage. Remember david blitzer is a minority owner of guardians worth 3.6 billion according to forbes and part owner of the 76ers. Blitzer is no john sherman. At least when john sherman was minority owner of the indians he spend more 60 million on double e. He also pushed the front office 2016 trade deadline for andrew miller. In 2017 trade deadline for jay bruce snd 2018 deadline for brad hand and adam cimber.
Kepler literally just changed scenery, he needs another scenery change 100 games into his Phillies career?
Personally, I doubt that Cleveland trades Kwan unless totally overwhelmed. The trade package would have to include at least a controllable MLB ready piece likely an OF in the trade return. They will want to try to contend in 2026 with Jose Ramirez in his prime. I don’t see a possible package working with the Padres. They would have no interest in a rental like Cease, Philly would likely have to include Justin Crawford in the trade return.
Agreed
Cease could be traded elsewhere for something Cleveland wants.
Cleveland would also want Salas because he profiles as the type of catcher they covet. Could even see sheets sent to Cleveland as a stop gap.
With the padres it would likely be a multi package deal.
The Guards are not selling low. C’mon people.
Who says they are
Cleveland not interested in crawford lack of power.
If true, both the Phillies and Padres were tied to the Red Sox for Duran. I am betting they realized he won’t be given away for pennies on the dollar. Kwan would be a great get for either.
Probably. I’d probably would rather have kwan of the two. He has been more consistent of the two.
Durand numbers really aren’t all that great this year especially offensively. He has been absolutely terrible vs lefties.
You get an extra year of control with Durran so that probably sways things his way for me. Plus he’s been the better hitter:
Durran
2025 – 108 OPS+
2024 – 131 OPS+
2023 – 121 OPS
Kwan
2025 – 106 OPS+
2024 – 126 OPS+
2023 – 97 OPS+
It’s tough, Durran has better wheels and more power (career .183 iso vs .110), but Kwan is such a good pure hitter that you know he’d make a great addition to the lineup. It would seem a little odd to me if we ended up giving up a nice package for Kwan and then see Arraez walk as a free agent especially if he ends up signing for 3/45 or 4/60 or even less AAV. Kwan obviously fits better being an excellent LF and having both for the rest of 2025 would be a big boost, but Arraez has been the better hitter with the three batting titles to Kwan and his career .285 BA.
Preller has had some big deadline deals in the past with Cleveland, the huge 3-way in 2019 with the Reds involving Bauer, Puig, Franmil, and Trammell and the 2020 deal for Clevinger. Neither of which turned out great for the Padres so maybe he’s due.
Kwan runs better, has more power and plays way better defense than Arraez.
Duran does have an extra year and a higher ceiling. My concern with Duran is he isn’t hitting lefties. Padres have really struggled vs lefties.
I do believe the plan is if they get either is to let Arraez go next year.
I personally think the padres should trade for Naylor. Better defense at 1b and has some slug that the padres need. I’d also trade for laureano who bring some right handed slug. Power has been the main issue with the padres offense. Especially when most of their potential power hitters aren’t hitting for power. The last month or so hardly any homers from Tatis, Merrill or Sheets. They need slug.
They do need slug. Looking more likely AZ will be sellers, but don’t tell their fans that.
Big week for the Padres. They had a chance to make teams behind them sellers. The last two days put a stop to that. Now the next seven are huge. If they can create some distance it will make life easier down the stretch with more sellers.
Winning 3 in St Louis would sure be better than losing 3 in St Louis. Survival of the heat index fittest.
You don’t trade Kwan. Wildcard is within reach and the schedule is favorable. Short of restocking the entire outfield no thank
Agreed. That is why I don’t see him traded.
Certainly no harm in listening.. but that seems very unlikely he will be traded this year.
Cleveland won again tonight on a game winning hit in the bottom of the 8th by Steven Kwan. They have now won 11 out of their last 13 games. I again, don’t see Kwan traded.
Seems like Padres and Phillies each get one of Kwan and Duran.
This is an interesting tango for all 4 teams involved. Any other teams hot n heavy for LF? I (padres fan) would be happy with either.
Seems more likely Cleveland would trade Clase for instant offense (not Kwan) to help their stud Ramirez…….and move Smith to closer. They are crafty and confident in its ability to maintain strong pitching on the fly.
Who going to be setup man if clase is traded ? Maybe calling the pirates about their setup man santanta.
Internal solution or some value acquisition. They won’t pay retail in $ or trade capital to get up a setup man if a contender blows them away to pry Clase.
Hunter Gaddis has probably been their most consistent reliever this year. Guards have the bullpen arms to absorb losing Clase.
Kwan going nowhere. This is just clickbait.
If the Reds aren’t, there’s something wrong with them.
Ok, I agree tgere is with this management team.
Kwan would be more than a one year guy, so it makes sense.
If I were Cleveland, I wouldn’t deal him for anything.
Is everybody forgetting the fact that both Clase and Kwan are inherently cheap for the next several years? Even with Kwan going through Arb. To pry either it’s going to cost MULTIPLE top 100 guys. Guys that are NEAR ready to contribute. The Padres don’t have that. Cle has no need for Crawford, they need power. Painter gets the convo started, now tack on another top 100 guy and multiple other pieces
Slow down, Kwan is good but not that good
In three plus seasons, he has made 2 all star games and has won 3 gold gloves. Yes, he is that good.
He has a 110 wrc+ this year and 116 career. That’s a good player but not great. He plays a great left field which is valued as one of the wiser positions to play. Also top 100 prospects aren’t all the same. He is prob worth a couple top 100 backend prospects. Also each team evaluates prospects different none of them would have the same 100 as these reports do.
Jake cronenworth is a 2x allstar and has a 119 wrc+ this year. Does that make him worth as much as Kwan? Close to as much?
These guys are way overvaluing Kwan. The Phillies aren’t giving up Painter PLUS multiple top-100 guys, lol.
No the Phillies are not. I don’t think they will even give painter alone.
Well then screw the phillies and everbody else. Not giving kwan away, when he under contril for 2.5 years. Rumoris kwan wants 30 million ayear. Kwan is not a power hitter. Offer him a deal this winter of 120million for 6 years and see if he signs it. If not trade him at winter meetings or next feburary.
6/120 sounds about right for him. He is not getting 30m a year.
Phils should trade for Kwan, for left, bring up Crawford for cf,cut Kepler and marsh end of bench option
Mariners should drain their prospect pool and bring in Kwan and Ramirez. I think he’s buddies with Castillo maybe he will waive his NTC
Maybe keep arroyo he seems like he can turn out like Ramirez
Ramirez likes cleveland and isnt going anywhere. Besides cleveland has better chance going to playoffs then seattle !
If Kwan is indeed available, and so is Clase, then if the Dodgers aren’t knee deep in acquiring BOTH, they’re missing out. Their two most glaring deficiencies addressed in one move. Their bullpen has been horrible and they NEED a legit closer at the end. Their LF production has been atrocious and running Conforto out there on the daily is absolutely brutal for a lineup. He goes 0-3 and you’re giving up an entire inning of offense with this guy plus his penchant for hitting into double plays is second to none. Worst hitter in the league right now who has qualifying ABs.
Makes too much sense logistically to not get done.
Why would Dumb-browski be interested in Kwan? He has a younger and cheaper (and probably speedier) version of the same player on his farm system: Justin Crawford
Very good point.
But
What is with the Dumb-browski? It’s inaccurate and kindergarten clever.
Padres are not looking for another LHB.
The Guards put a high price tag on players with multiple years of control. They don’t back off that tag. It would take a king’s ransom to pull I’m away from the Guards, especially when they are back in the wild card mix.
Mariners have higher odds everywhere I’ve looked so that’s just your opinion. And the mariners are looking to be buyers while the guardians are putting their guys on the market so I don’t think Cleveland would agree with you. Ramirez can still like Cleveland but maybe he’d like Seattle also
Teams are calling Cleveland, and they will always listen. That does not mean that they are shopping anyone. They only one that could go is Clase if a controllable, MLB ready bat is part of the return.
Jose Ramirez is not available, and Cleveland has no interest in trading him or rebuilding. Ramirez has a no trade clause and has repeatedly stated his desire to play his entire career in Cleveland where he and his family are very comfortable. He took 50 to 100 million dollars less when he signed his extension to get the no trade clause. He is not leaving Cleveland. Time to move on.