The 2025 MLB trade deadline is projected to be a very pivotal time for the Cleveland Guardians. Whether the team sells or buys, a lot of the future can be dictated over the next month. There are plenty of rumors going around, but a new rumor would be a baffling decision from the Guardians' front office.
According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, when he asked MLB executives around baseball, they pointed to Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan as a potential trade deadline candidate.
"This shocked me," Bowden writes. "But multiple teams mentioned Kwan (as a trade candidate), who has won three consecutive Gold Glove awards and is having another nice season."
To call such a move surprising would be an understatement. If the Guardians shipped off Kwan, they'd be selling one of their best players from the past few seasons. The 27-year-old is set to be a free agent after the 2028 season.
Kwan hasn't been in the Majors long, only in his fourth MLB season. But in that time, he's become one of the game's best outfielders. He's a great defender and is an above-average hitter.
MORE: Guardians urged to make tough Emmanuel Clase decision amid rough season
This season, Kwan is batting .296 with a .418 slugging percentage, a .777 OPS, and 118 OPS+ through 80 games. He's in the middle of one of his best seasons offensively and is poised to make his second All-Star game this season.
Cleveland trading Kwan would be a complete surprise. He's been a core piece of the Guardians' recent playoff teams and is a great outfielder who's poised to earn a massive payday once he hits free agency.
Moving on from Kwan would be a surprise, not just because of what he brings to the team, but what it means for the rest of the team. Trading Kwan would force the Guardians to be full-blown sellers and enter into a reset year the rest of the way.
Considering the talent they have on the roster and in the minor leagues on the cusp of coming up, moving on from Kwan would make no sense for Cleveland. While they might eventually let him walk or trade him right before he hits free agency, doing so now would be a strange and baffling decision.
MORE MLB NEWS:
- AJ Hinch reveals major injury news on Tigers young starter
- Tigers announce roster move ahead of Nationals doubleheader
- Will MLB have another 3,000-strikeout pitcher after Clayton Kershaw?
- Cardinals linked to Diamondbacks starter amid postseason push
- Astros urged to land former Cy Young winner at trade deadline
- Tigers urged to land Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suarez at MLB trade deadline