As the Cleveland Guardians' 2025 season faces significant challenges, two-time All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan is emerging as a viable trade candidate in light of the upcoming trade deadline. While moving the 27-year-old seems unlikely, recent developments have shifted the odds, increasing the likelihood of a potential trade from approximately five percent to around 35 percent. This shift follows a string of disappointing game outcomes and the unexpected placement of an elite closer on 'non-disciplinary leave' due to a gambling investigation, prompting the Guardians to at least entertain trade inquiries regarding Kwan.

Kwan, who earned All-Star honors this season, has demonstrated impressive skills at the plate. With two years of team control remaining and a salary of $4.175 million this season, he has emerged as one of the best contact hitters in Major League Baseball, boasting a .285 batting average that ranks him in the 95th percentile of qualified hitters. Since his debut in 2022, his batting average has outperformed notable players like Bryce Harper and José Ramírez, and he ranks among the top in terms of avoiding strikeouts. His prowess on the basepaths, evidenced by 63 career stolen bases, further enhances his value, along with his accolades as a three-time reigning Gold Glove winner, as he leads the majors in outfield assists and excels in Fielding Run Value metrics.

Given his impressive profile, Kwan's trade value is considerable. Baseball Trade Values assigns him a median surplus value of 52.4, a number which can be contextualized by comparing it to highly regarded prospects like Philadelphia's Andrew Painter and Pittsburgh's Bubba Chandler, indicating that acquiring Kwan would require a substantial offer. In the wake of the recent gambling investigation involving Emmanuel Clase, speculation suggests that the Guardians are more amenable to trading Kwan than previously anticipated. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, while the Guardians may not feel compelled to trade Kwan, the current circumstances have led to conversations about potentially moving him as their competitive outlook for 2025 continues to diminish.