Fresh off their second consecutive World Series championship, the Los Angeles Dodgers are not expected to stand pat this offseason. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, one familiar name could be high on the Dodgers trade rumors: Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan.
“They nearly traded him to the Dodgers at the trade deadline and Los Angeles will come calling again,” Nightengale reported. “The price tag will be high, but the Dodgers certainly have the prospect capital.”
Los Angeles had extensive discussions with Cleveland in late July before a deal fell through. That pursuit reportedly explained LAs quiet deadline, as the front office focused much of its energy on landing the two-time All-Star.
Support Local and Independent Sports Writing – Subscribe To the LAFB Network Today!
Why Kwan Fits the Dodgers’ Needs
Vote For Your Favorite Dodgers Duo: Ohtani – Yamamoto, Betts – Freeman, Hernandez – Hernandez
Kwan, 28, is one of baseball’s most consistent contact hitters and elite defenders. In 2024, the California native hit .292 with a .793 OPS after batting .272 the previous season. He also struck out at just an 8.7 percent rate — top one percent in MLB — while earning his fourth consecutive Gold Glove Award.
Guardians outfield and baserunning coach JT Maguire told MLB.com that Kwan’s defensive instincts separate him from other outfielders. “I don’t know if there’s one specific area where you can just point out and say, ‘He’s the best at that,’ because I think he just does everything so well,” Maguire said. “Before games, he really stresses playing balls off the wall and seeing how ballparks play. He’s got an elite exchange.”
Beyond the glove, Kwan’s speed and situational hitting could balance a Dodgers lineup that leaned heavily on power in 2025. He also swiped 21 bases last season, adding a dynamic the team largely lacked.
Dodgers Trade Rumors: High Price, High Reward
Cleveland ultimately held onto Kwan after a late-season push for the AL Central title, but a trade appears increasingly likely this winter. Kwan remains under team control through 2027, giving any acquiring club multiple years of cost certainty.
For the Dodgers, who possess six top-100 prospects and the financial flexibility to pursue marquee free agent Kyle Tucker, the decision may come down to which elite outfielder they can persuade first. Whether it’s Tucker in free agency or Kwan via trade, Los Angeles appears determined to add another All-Star to an already loaded roster — and this time, their pursuit might finally cross the finish line.