The Cleveland Guardians are out of the ALCS after six tough games, and even with a valiant effort from their offense, one of their biggest questions for the offseason just got a bombshell update. MLB insider Robert Murray from Fansided.com is reporting that Steven Kwan’s trade market does *not* bode well for Cleveland keeping their Gold Glove outfielder past the 2026 season.
The Rumors Are Back, And They’re Louder Than Ever
Kwan’s name has been in the trade rumor mill for years now, hasn’t it? It always felt like he barely stuck around through the trade deadline in 2025. But now that the Guardians are out of the postseason, those rumors are roaring back to life. Kwan, at 29 years old, is heading into his final year of arbitration before he hits free agency. For a team that isn’t exactly known for being big spenders, flipping a player like Kwan now makes a ton of sense if they want to get some value back.
Gold Glove Outfielder On The Move?
We’re talking about a Gold Glove outfielder here, a solid hitter who just isn’t a huge home-run threat. He’s got real value, and the Guardians should absolutely be able to get something good for him. Murray’s report says that some rivals out there actually *believe* a trade this winter is possible. An individual even told Murray, “Always fair [to wonder that] in Cleveland.” You know what that means. The San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs are already being floated as potential landing spots. Kwan has been a key part of that Guardians franchise for the last few years, but honestly, Murray’s report that a trade “wouldn’t shock anyone” pretty much screams that 2026 could be his last year in Cleveland. For now, anyway.
So, the Guardians have a huge decision to make this offseason. Do they try to hold onto Kwan and risk losing him for nothing in free agency, or do they cash in now and try to reshape their roster? For a team coming off an ALCS exit, this kind of shake-up could be just what they need. Or it could be a tough pill to swallow for the fans. It’s going to be wild to see where this all lands.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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