As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Dodgers are once again in the middle of the action. But unlike previous years, this deadline could bring a particularly strategic move — one that addresses both lineup inconsistency and defensive instability in left field. Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan has emerged as a potential target, with the Dodgers reportedly among several contenders keeping close tabs on the two-time All-Star.
Dodgers Among Teams Showing Interest in Kwan
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According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers and Blue Jays have joined a growing list of suitors for Kwan, a group that also includes the Phillies and Padres. Kwan, 27, remains one of the most unique players in the sport — a high-contact hitter with elite on-base skills and Gold Glove-caliber defense in left field.
Even amid a slight dip in production this season, Kwan is still slashing a solid .287/.351/.411 with nine home runs and 11 steals, good for a 115 wRC+. His trademark low strikeout rate remains intact, and though his walk rate has dipped, his bat has rebounded after a rough June. Kwan’s defensive metrics have been mixed in 2025 — a -1 Outs Above Average but a strong +13 in Defensive Runs Saved — but scouts still see him as one of the most reliable left fielders in the league.
Why the Dodgers Are Interested Now
The Dodgers’ interest in Kwan is not just opportunistic — it’s also reactive to a roster increasingly stretched by injuries and underperformance. Tommy Edman and Hyeseong Kim have both been playing through injuries, with manager Dave Roberts openly acknowledging that Edman’s right ankle and Kim’s shoulder are causing concern. Michael Conforto, the Dodgers’ primary left fielder, has also struggled mightily. His .185/.297/.320 slash line over 300 plate appearances simply hasn’t met expectations.
As ESPN’s David Schoenfield pointed out, “The Dodgers have given [Conforto] 300 plate appearances and he’s hitting under .200, plus he’s not a good left fielder. They could also use a leadoff hitter… Kwan would fix both issues and give them a nice OBP guy in front of Ohtani while providing a major defensive upgrade.”
With Max Muncy and Edman both banged up and Kim’s offensive production declining under the weight of injury, the Dodgers’ depth has been tested. Top prospect Alex Freeland could be called up if Edman or Kim lands on the IL, but the outfield remains a priority. Kwan, with his elite contact profile and multiple years of team control, fits the Dodgers’ long-term model — a controllable asset rather than a rental.
A Crowded Market and a High Price
Cleveland’s recent slide — 52–54 entering the final days of July — has made them a likely seller at the deadline, especially after closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on administrative leave amid a sports betting investigation. That move, Rosenthal notes, “ended any chance of the Guardians becoming a buyer” and could open the door for Cleveland to consider moving more than just rental pieces.
Still, trading Kwan would require a substantial return. With club control through 2028, he’s arguably the most valuable all-around position player on the market. The Guardians can afford to wait — or set an asking price that only a few teams can meet.
The Blue Jays have reportedly expressed interest, and their history of working trades with Cleveland — including past multi-player deals — could help facilitate a deal. But the Dodgers, with one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, have the upper hand if it becomes a bidding war.
What a Dodgers Outfield With Kwan Would Look Like
Should a trade come together, the Los Angeles Dodgers would roll out a starting outfield of Kwan in left, Andy Pages in center, and Teoscar Hernández in right. Conforto would be the clear odd man out, potentially flipped in a secondary trade. Depth options like James Outman, Enrique Hernández (when healthy), Esteury Ruiz, and Michael Busch would provide rotational support.
And perhaps most importantly, Kwan’s presence at the top of the order would take pressure off Mookie Betts, who has struggled by his own standards in 2025. The Dodgers recently moved Betts to the leadoff spot ahead of Shohei Ohtani, but the results have been mixed. Kwan could allow Betts to return to a more comfortable middle-of-the-order role.
Final Thoughts
The Los Angeles Dodgers are threading a familiar needle as the trade deadline nears: improve now without compromising their long-term flexibility. In Steven Kwan, they may have found a rare player who offers both. Whether they can outbid Toronto, Philadelphia, or San Diego will depend on how aggressive president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is willing to be — and how motivated Cleveland is to make a deal.
But with the outfield slumping, the infield banged up, and October always the goal, don’t be surprised if Kwan ends up in Dodger Blue by August 1.