30 Jul 2025
The Trade Deadline's Hidden Gem: Why Every Contender Wants Steven Kwan
With just days remaining until the July 31 trade deadline, one name keeps surfacing in conversations across baseball front offices: Steven Kwan. The Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres are a...
With just days remaining until the July 31 trade deadline, one name keeps surfacing in conversations across baseball front offices: Steven Kwan. The Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres are among "many teams" expressing interest in the Cleveland Guardians left fielder, according to recent reports. Yet for casual fans, Kwan might not register as a household name like some deadline targets. That's exactly what makes him so valuable.
The former Oregon State star represents everything contending teams crave: elite contact skills, Gold Glove defense, team control through 2027, and a bargain salary. As one executive put it, it would take "quite the compelling offer" for Cleveland to part with their 27-year-old cornerstone – a testament to just how much teams value what Kwan brings to the table.
From Corvallis to Cleveland: Building a Champion
Long before he became one of baseball's most coveted deadline targets, Kwan was helping Oregon State achieve greatness. The California native chose Oregon State because it was a "prestigious program with a beautiful campus," and he quickly proved he belonged among the elite.
After struggling as a freshman in 2016 (.215 batting average in 35 games), Kwan found his footing as a sophomore, hitting .331 with elite on-base skills. But it was his junior year that cemented his legacy in Corvallis. In 2018, Kwan batted .355/.463/.457 while serving as the leadoff hitter for one of college baseball's most talented lineups, featuring future MLB stars Adley Rutschman, Nick Madrigal, and Trevor Larnach.
"Kwan leads things off in Oregon State's potent lineup and has proven to be an on-base machine," scouts noted at the time. "He is a nightmare for opposing pitchers and is one of the toughest players to strike out in Division I baseball."
That 2018 Beavers team captured the College World Series title, with Kwan's table-setting abilities and clutch performances helping deliver Oregon State's third national championship. His junior campaign featured a remarkable 4.8% strikeout rate through 199 at-bats – a preview of the contact mastery that would define his professional career.
The Art of Contact in a Three True Outcomes World
In an era where strikeouts have skyrocketed and launch angle dominates discussion, Kwan represents a throwback to pure hitting fundamentals. His approach stands in stark contrast to modern baseball trends, making him uniquely valuable.
Since his 2022 debut, Kwan has struck out just 210 times in 2,084 plate appearances – a microscopic 10.1% strikeout rate that ranks among the lowest in baseball. More remarkably, he has drawn 210 walks, meaning he has exactly as many strikeouts as walks in his major league career heading into recent games.
Steven Kwan vs. 2025 MLB Leaders (Key Metrics)
| Metric | Steven Kwan | MLB Rank (Min. 300 PA) |
|---|---|---|
| Strikeout Rate | 9.2% | 1st |
| Contact Rate | 91.3% | 1st |
| Called Strike % | 24.5% | 1st |
| Hard Hit Rate | 18.9% | Last (by design) |
| Batting Average | .285 | Top 15 |
Source: Baseball Reference, FanGraphs
Elite Defense Meets Offensive Consistency
Kwan's value extends far beyond his bat. He's a three-time Gold Glove winner in left field, becoming just the fifth player in MLB history to win Gold Gloves in each of his first three seasons. The exclusive club includes Johnny Bench, Charles Johnson, Nolan Arenado, and Ichiro Suzuki – elite company for any player.
His 47 defensive runs saved since 2022 lead all MLB outfielders, and his 24 outs above average in 2025 pace all left fielders. Progressive Field's challenging left field setup makes these numbers even more impressive.
"Kwan ranks fourth among all qualified left fielders with 2.1 fWAR in 92 games," analysts note. "His defensive metrics consistently rate in the 83rd percentile for Fielding Run Value."
Why Contenders Are Calling
The trade interest in Kwan stems from a perfect storm of factors that contending teams desperately need:
Financial Flexibility: At just $4.175 million in 2025, Kwan offers elite production at a bargain price. With two more arbitration years remaining, acquiring teams get cost certainty through 2027.
Playoff Pedigree: Kwan's postseason track record is exceptional. He owns an active 16-game on-base streak in the playoffs, and his 25 hits through his first 17 postseason games set a Cleveland franchise record.
Positional Versatility: While primarily a left fielder, Kwan has started games in center field and right field, giving managers valuable flexibility.
Lineup Impact: Teams like Philadelphia and San Diego see Kwan as a catalyst. The Phillies have struggled with Max Kepler's .205/.302/.360 line in left field, while the Padres seek table-setting ability to complement their power.
The Cleveland Dilemma
The Guardians find themselves in an uncomfortable position. After losing 10 straight games in early July, dropping to 40-48, Cleveland appeared to be obvious sellers. However, they've since won 10 of their last 12 games, climbing back to .500 and within striking distance of a wild card spot.
"Cleveland has the easiest schedule the remainder of the year with more home games than away," noted one analyst. The Guardians trail the final wild card by just 2.5 games, making it difficult to justify trading cornerstone players.
ESPN's Buster Olney reported it's "unlikely" Kwan will be dealt, partly due to his team control extending through 2027. The organization views him as a building block, not a trade chip.
College Pipeline Success Story
Kwan's journey exemplifies the modern college-to-MLB pipeline. Oregon State's program has become a developmental powerhouse, with multiple players from that 2018 championship team now starring in the majors:
- Adley Rutschman: Baltimore Orioles All-Star catcher
- Nick Madrigal: Utility infielder with elite contact skills
- Trevor Larnach: Minnesota Twins outfielder
- Drew Rasmussen: Tampa Bay Rays pitcher
The Beavers' emphasis on fundamentals and situational hitting clearly influenced Kwan's development. His ability to put the ball in play and work deep counts reflects the program's philosophy of controlling the strike zone.
Market Dynamics and Trade Value
If Cleveland does decide to move Kwan, the return would be substantial. Comparisons to recent trades suggest he could command a package similar to what Tampa Bay received for Randy Arozarena – multiple top-150 prospects with upside.
Teams reportedly showing interest include:
- Philadelphia Phillies: Seeking left field upgrade and lineup catalyst
- San Diego Padres: Want table-setting ability and defensive excellence
- Seattle Mariners: Need offensive consistency and outfield depth
- New York Mets: Looking for contact hitting and versatility
"Kwan obviously fits better being an excellent LF and having both for the rest of 2025 would be a big boost," one executive noted about potential fits.
The Hidden Gem Factor
What makes Kwan a "hidden gem" isn't his talent – scouts and executives clearly recognize his value. It's that casual fans might overlook him compared to flashier names like Luis Robert Jr. or Cody Bellinger.
Kwan doesn't hit 30 home runs or steal 40 bases. He doesn't have a 100-mph fastball or throw runners out from the warning track. What he does is get on base at a .357 clip, play Gold Glove defense, and provide the consistent production that championship teams require.
"He's a throwback because while he does have some power, Kwan really is someone focused on putting the ball in play," observers note. In a sport increasingly defined by volatility, Kwan offers the rarest commodity: reliability.
Championship Window Impact
For contending teams, Kwan represents more than statistical production – he's a culture carrier. His Oregon State championship experience, combined with Cleveland's recent playoff success, gives him credibility in pressure situations.
The analytics community has long argued that contact skills age better than power, suggesting Kwan's prime years align perfectly with contending windows. His approach should remain effective well into his 30s, making the prospect of team control through 2027 even more appealing.
Looking Ahead
Whether Kwan gets traded before July 31 largely depends on Cleveland's performance over the next week. They face the Orioles, Royals, and Rockies in their final six games before the deadline. A strong finish could convince the Guardians to hold onto their core and push for October.
For interested teams, Kwan represents the type of acquisition that doesn't always make headlines but consistently impacts October baseball. He's the player who draws the walk that sets up the game-winning hit, makes the sliding catch that preserves a lead, or delivers the clutch two-out single when it matters most.
In a deadline market often defined by big names and bigger contracts, Steven Kwan stands out as the ultimate value play. The Oregon State product has proven that fundamentals never go out of style, and championship teams are built on players who do the little things exceptionally well.
The question isn't whether contenders want Steven Kwan – it's whether Cleveland can afford to let him go.
For fans who love tracking stories like these, FanDaily offers exclusive alumni updates and alumni insights delivering the latest on NCAA alumni thriving in the pros. Check out our Pro Pipeline tool at https://fandaily.io/pro-pipeline to discover how many alumni from your school are currently playing in the NBA, WNBA, NFL, and other professional leagues. Our comprehensive tracking system helps you follow your favorite programs' professional journeys with detailed alumni breakdowns and league-by-league analysis.