With the Cleveland Guardians preparing for Game 5 of the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox, the team will have some key decisions to make in the offseason once the time comes. As the focus is on the Guardians winning Game 4 of the series to push it to a do-or-die game after winning two straight, one of the team's more impactful players could see himself traded in the winter.
FanSided's MLB insider Robert Murray would have a piece focused on the moves the San Diego Padres could make after being eliminated by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS in four games.
This Guardians star could be dealt in the winter
One of the names that Murray links to the Padres is Cleveland outfielder Steven Kwan, saying that “it’s entirely possible that the Guardians will listen on Steven Kwan in the winter,” especially since the 29-year-old is scheduled for free agency in 2027.
And as Murray reports, San Diego has “shown past interest” in Kwan.
Article Continues Below“The need for another outfielder is not obvious, especially with the emergence of Brett Harris in left field. But it’s entirely possible that the Guardians will listen on Steven Kwan in the winter with the star outfielder scheduled for free agency after the 2027 season,” Murray wrote on Friday. “The Padres have shown past interest in Kwan, and Preller loves star players. Perhaps that is something that the organization could revisit, with Kwan ranking sixth in baseball in fWAR from June 30 to the end of the season.”
Kwan has been with the Guardians since 2022, and this past season, in 151 games, he has recorded a .282 batting average to go along with three home runs, 32 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. At any rate, it remains to be seen if Cleveland will trade Kwan in the offseason, as their focus currently is moving on to the ALCS, though first, they'll have to beat the White Sox on Saturday.