New Yankees prediction provides nightmare Steven Kwan scenario to Guardians fans

Earlier this year, Steven Kwan’s name was floated in plenty of trade rumors at the deadline due to all of the uncertainty around the Cleveland Guardians’ roster. And while Kwan ended up staying in Cleveland (and helped lead Cleveland on its magical run to the postseason) we just got our first reminder of how much we’ll be hearing Kwan’s name in the rumor mill this offseason 

On Wednesday, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller published a story breaking down the Yankees’ offseason plans after their loss in the ALDS, where he highlighted Kwan as the Bombers’ top trade target. 

New report serves as stark reminder of trade buzz around Steven Kwan

Even if Kwan ended up .254 in the second half, he still had an All-Star year, will likely win his fourth straight Gold Glove and has two years of team control left. While all of those factors are reasons why he should stay with the Guardians, they’re also reasons as to why there was so much interest in him at the trade deadline. 

“The big question here is whether the Yankees would be comfortable with making Jasson Domínguez the primary center fielder. If so, getting Kwan's elite glove in left field and his career .351 on-base percentage into the lineup in front of Aaron Judge sure would be swell. There was a lot of talk about Cleveland possibly trading him away a couple months ago, and for his final two years of arbitration eligibility, perhaps the Yankees will make the Guardians an offer they can't refuse,” Miller wrote.

While the thought of Kwan playing elsewhere will make any Guardians fan feel nauseous, the thought of Kwan playing for the Yankees could kick that into overdrive. Although the Yankees and Guardians have always had a rivalry, it’s been even more heightened as of late considering the Yankees have eliminated the Guardians in the postseason twice in the past four seasons.

The Yankees finished second in the American League this year with a 94-68 record and lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in four games in the American League Division Series. And, as Miller mentioned, they have a hole in left field. 

Jasson Domínguez led the way with 100 appearances in left field, while Cody Bellinger and Austin Slater (two impending free agents) had the second and third-most appearances. They’ll have a hole in center field thanks to the impending departure of Trent Grisham, which could result in Domínguez moving over to center. 

Aaron Judge had a postseason for the ages this year, but it ended up being for naught because the rest of his lineup couldn’t do anything around him. That could end up being a different story next year if they traded for Kwan. 

But just because the Yankees are interested in Kwan doesn’t mean they’re a lock to get him, especially when you consider Cleveland’s asking price. 

The Guardians’ asking price for Kwan at the trade deadline started with at least one top prospect, and it’s hard to believe things are going to be any different this offseason, even though he has a little less team control than he had over the summer. 

The Yankees also have the No. 22 farm system per MLB Pipeline, so it’s not like they’re stocked to the brim with top-tier free agents. Even if the Yankees would be willing to part with infielder George Lombard Jr. or Spencer Jones, they’ll still need to sweeten the pot if they wanted to get Kwan.