The Cleveland Guardians find themselves in a completely different position than they were just three days ago. What started as a relatively quiet trade deadline approach has turned into something much more active.
The catalyst? Emmanuel Clase’s placement on the non-disciplinary list amid an MLB investigation, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. That development has Cleveland suddenly more willing to discuss deals involving Steven Kwan.
And teams are taking notice.
Both the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies are making aggressive pushes for the three-time Gold Glove left fielder. The way Passan tells it, “The chance of Guardians moving Kwan is higher than teams believed a week ago. The Phillies and Mets are being very aggressive.”
“The Phillies and Mets are being very aggressive.”
That’s the kind of interest that drives up prices in a hurry. When you’ve got two playoff contenders from the same division going after the same player with less than 48 hours left, things get expensive.
Here’s what makes Kwan such a valuable target: he’s 27 years old and under team control through 2027. You’re not just getting a rental – you’re getting a core piece for the next three seasons. His defense in left field is elite, and he’s been consistently productive at the plate.
This season, Kwan’s hitting .286 with a .761 OPS and a 110 OPS+. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they’re solid production from a guy who brings Gold Glove defense and gets on base.
The left-handed bat fits what both the Mets and Phillies need. Philadelphia’s been looking for outfield help all season, while the Mets are trying to bolster their lineup for what they hope is a deep playoff run.
What makes this different is the timing. Players of Kwan’s caliber don’t usually become available at the deadline, especially guys with multiple years of control remaining. The Guardians weren’t actively shopping him until the Clase situation changed everything.
Now Cleveland has to weigh whether selling high on Kwan makes sense if their closer situation remains uncertain. Trading a two-time All-Star who’s locked up affordably through 2027 isn’t something you do lightly.
But if the return is substantial enough – and with the Mets and Phillies driving up the bidding – the Guardians might view this as an opportunity they can’t pass up.
The next 48 hours will tell us whether Cleveland’s willing to change course this dramatically. With multiple teams pursuing Kwan aggressively, they’re in position to demand a huge package if they decide to move forward.
It’s gone from unlikely to very possible in just a matter of days.
