Guardians get Steven Kwan trade update that's bad news for future in Cleveland

Guardians get Steven Kwan trade update that’s bad news for future in Cleveland originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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In the ALCS, the Cleveland Guardians lost in six games, dropping out of the postseason hunt despite a valiant effort from a shaky offense.

Now, with the Guardians headed toward the offseason, there are plenty of interesting questions this team will have to answer. One of the biggest is what Steven Kwan’s future entails.

MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided.com revealed an update on Kwan’s trade market, which doesn’t exactly bode well for Cleveland to retain their Gold Glove outfielder beyond the 2026 MLB season.

Steven Kwan trade rumors pick back up after ALCS exit

“The trade rumors have surrounded star outfielder Steven Kwan for years,” Murray writes. “And with the Cleveland Guardians eliminated from the postseason on Monday night, those rumors are bound to heat up once again.”

Kwan, the Gold Glove outfielder who isn’t much of a home-run threat, is a name to watch on the trade market this offseason.

His name has popped up a few times over the last two seasons as a potential trade candidate, seemingly barely sticking with the team in 2025 through the trade deadline.

Now at 29 years old, Kwan is heading into the final year of arbitration before he becomes a free agent. For a Guardians team that typically isn’t a big spender, trading Kwan now makes a ton of sense.

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They’re likely hoping to get some value back for Kwan, which they should be able to do since he’s a great fielder in the outfield and a solid hitter as well.

Murray shared that the Kwan rumors have “some rivals believing a trade this winter is possible.” That included one individual telling Murray, “Always fair [to wonder that] in Cleveland.”

Kwan could be on the move this offseason, as there are surely a few teams that would have interest in Kwan this offseason. Murray named the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs as potential landing spots this offseason for the Gold Glove outfielder.

While Kwan might’ve been a key part of this Guardians franchise for the last few years, Murray’s report indicating that a trade “wouldn’t shock anyone” seems to indicate that the 2026 season might’ve been the last for Kwan in Cleveland, at least for now.

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