The Los Angeles Dodgers have a major hole at the left field position. It's been an issue they've tried to solve all season, but the team continued to run out Michael Conforto, who was a major bust this season.
Los Angeles signed Conforto to a one-year deal worth $21 million, and he wound up posting a .199 average, 12 home runs, and 36 RBIs in 138 games. His bWAR was -0.7. The Dodgers then tried to address left field at the trade deadline by acquiring Alex Call, but he hasn't provided much more slugging upside than Conforto.
Trade idea sends Steven Kwan to the Dodgers
The Cleveland Guardians just went on an improbable run to win the AL Central, but were then eliminated by the very team that they surpassed to win the division in the wild-card series.
In a recent Bleacher Report predictions piece by Zachary Rymer, a deal between the Guardians and Dodgers is named as a 'realistic' offseason deal:
"Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Dodgers get LF Steven Kwan; Cleveland Guardians get RHP Emmet Sheehan"
This one-for-one deal is actually very interesting. Sheehan has looked like a legit starter in his starts with Los Angeles, but the problem is the Dodgers' rotation is already stacked, and there isn't really room for him. That's what makes this deal make sense.
The Guardians are likely looking to move off Kwan before they have to pay him.
"They're always balancing their budget, even if it means trading well-liked players in their prime. Kwan is a prime candidate for this treatment, as he's a second-year arbitration-eligible star whose job could go to George Valera or Chase DeLauter."
Kwan is a stellar defensive outfielder who is also going to be on base at a high percentage. His OPS+ was 96 this season, which is impressive for a guy who can't really hit for power or slug much.
Keep an eye on this move happening as the MLB season comes to a close.
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