With only a few days until the MLB trade deadline, the San Diego Padres' trade targets are becoming a lot clearer. Looking to improve the outfielder, catcher, the bullpen, and the rotation, A.J. Preller will be busy.
According to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, one of the top outfield options for San Diego recently became more available than before, and the Padres are among the teams vying for him. That player is Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan.
"He is drawing "a ton" of interest, according to a club source," Rosenthal writes, "with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Diego Padres believed to be among the teams in the mix."
For a player of Kwan's talent, a Gold Glove All-Star left fielder who is batting .287 this season, it's no surprise that a lot of the top contenders are interested in him.
While those other teams could use outfield help, for the Padres, adding a left fielder is a dire need. Kwan would be an incredible fit for multiple reasons. He's 27 years old, fills the need in left, and is also a controllable player for the next few years.
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He's making $4.175 million this season and is under team control through the 2027 season. He's also in arbitration, meaning the Padres, with their high salaries on the roster, could have Kwan for a reasonable price compared to their other stars.
A cheap, controllable outfielder is the ideal for Preller and the Padres in left field. While the trade demand for Kwan will likely be very high, of the trade deadline options, Kwan would be a reasonable player to spend a fortune on.
Fortunately for the Padres and any team interested in Kwan, the two-time All-Star is more likely to be moved now than he was just a few days ago. Emmanuel Clase, being put on non-disciplinary leave, opened the door to potential deals.
As Rosenthal reports, "It ended any chance of the Guardians becoming a buyer, and likely increased the possibility of the team trading right-hander Shane Bieber and perhaps left fielder Steven Kwan."
Kwan would be an incredible addition for the Padres, and with this new report from Rosenthal, the chances of landing such a talented player look a lot stronger than they've ever looked.
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