Steven Kwan's struggles could force Guardians to do the unthinkable

It’s late April and if you think I’m crazy to suggest a Steven Kwan trade prior to the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline (pencils down after 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT), let’s start here:

Regardless of whether or not Cade Smith gets back on track, Emmanuel Clase’s absence has created a massive bullpen issue in Cleveland and none of the team’s offseason acquisitions have lit the world on fire.

Meanwhile, 2025 offseason signee Paul Sewald has returned to peak form with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kwan is unlikely to sign a contract extension in Cleveland, as the team did not approach his camp during spring training this year on the topic. While I think the Guardians will be buyers at the deadline, this move isn’t about straight up buying or selling.

The fact of the matter is the offensive value isn’t enough to justify blocking other potential young guns from debuting this year.

Kwan's struggles over the past 10 months are getting hard to ignore, which is something I picked up on pretty quickly following his return from injury.

In the 100 games Kwan’s played in since the start of last July thru Apr. 20, he’s slashed .243/.302/.321. (H/T to Guardians Prospective for being the first to point it out).

The silver lining in all of the doom and gloom is the Cleveland farm system has enough MLB-ready outfield depth that flipping Kwan in a deal with another contender for some bullpen help makes sense from the perspectives of both player and team.

It was a little difficult coming up with a list of potential acquisitions. While a trade involving multiple MLB players will be tough to execute, these are a few guys that could be realistic targets.

Is now the time for the Cleveland Guardians to trade Steven Kwan?

RHP Tanner Scott, Los Angeles Dodgers

While the four-year, $72 million Scott signed prior to last season didn’t look great given he posted a 4.74 ERA last season, he’s off to a great start this season and could be in line for more save opportunities now that Edwin Díaz is hurt.

Still, the Dodgers still could be looking to get out from his deal. Along with being owed about $12 million over the rest of this season, he’s still owed $40 million over the next two seasons (though $10 million of it is deferred).

Kwan is from the West Coast and there’s always been a ton of speculation about him looking to return home in free agency. If the Dodgers want to lessen their massive luxury tax burden and believe they can patch him up, now’s the perfect time to take a chance on Kwan?

Now if you’re like me and would love to see catcher Dalton Rushing freed from Will Smith’s shadow, we’d have to think much bigger with this deal. But Kwan for Scott is a good starting point.

RHP Robert Suarez, Atlanta Braves

This deal may be a bit harder to consummate — particularly given that Suarez still has two more years remaining on the three-year, $45 million deal he signed this offseason. Although Suarez has been working in a set-up role this season, he led the NL with 36 saves last season with the Padres even though they acquired Mason Miller at the trade deadline.

Another factor in this is whether Cleveland would trust the 35-year-old Suarez to hold up not throughout the duration of his contract.

It comes down to how Iglesias looks when he returns from the injured list and Cleveland’s willingness to take on this contract.

Jason Adam, San Diego Padres

Adam won’t turn 35 until August and is on an expiring contract worth $6.675 million. Padres general manager A.J. Preller is no stranger to wheeling and dealing with the Guardians.

Adam could be a popular name at the trade deadline given the portion of remaining money he’s owed through the end of the season, so there’s a question about whether a potential year and change of Kwan would be enough to pry Adam loose.

It’s also fair to note former Guardian Ramón Laureano has already been worth 0.7 bWAR this season (he posted 0.6 bWAR across in a Cleveland uniform) and 1.5 bWAR across his first 71 games with the club. Nothing can be ruled out here since Preller’s involved.

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