Trade Idea Links Guardians Outfielder Steven Kwan to Dodgers

Trade Idea Links Guardians Outfielder Steven Kwan to Dodgers originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Los Angeles Dodgers seemingly find themselves in a similar situation ahead of each trade deadline: looking for multiple pieces to add to an already star-studded roster, and with plenty of minor-league talent to dangle in front of teams looking to sell.

This year, most of those reinforcements will likely be added to their starting rotation and bullpen, which have experienced many injuries in recent weeks. But the organization won't rule out the possibility of plugging holes in their lineup with higher-quality hitters than the ones already there.

ESPN's David Schoenfield believes the Dodgers could be in the market for another outfielder to join the likes of Teoscar Hernandez and Andy Pages. According to Schoenfield, acquiring Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan, a three-time Gold Glove Award winner and two-time All-Star, would resolve multiple issues at the top of the team's lineup.

"The reasoning here: Michael Conforto just hasn't worked out. The Dodgers have given him 300 plate appearances and he's hitting under .200, plus he's not a good left fielder. They could also use a leadoff hitter. They just moved Mookie Betts there in front of Shohei Ohtani, looking to get Betts going, but Betts just hasn't been an offensive force in 2025 and shouldn't be hitting at the top of a lineup right now," Schoenfield wrote. "Kwan would fix both issues and give them a nice OBP guy in front of Ohtani while providing a major defensive upgrade."

Kwan would become one of the most sought-after players on the market if the Guardians made him available. ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel rank Kwan as the No. 2 trade target in MLB – behind only Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez – but put his likelihood of being dealt at only 20%.

Despite this, such a trade could mutually benefit the Dodgers and the Guardians.

"He's under team control through 2027 and is making $4.1 million this season, with a big raise due next year," Schoenfield wrote. "The Guardians also need power and the Dodgers could offer a nice package of prospects, maybe starting with catcher Dalton Rushing or a potential power-hitting outfielder such as Zyhir Hope or Eduardo Quintero. (Top prospect Josue De Paula is probably off limits.)"

Kwan is in his fourth season as a starting outfielder for the Guardians, a position he has held since making his Guardians debut in 2022. This year, he is batting .287 with eight home runs, 35 RBIs, 47 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, and 3.0 WAR (according to Baseball Reference) across 96 games.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.