Should the Blue Jays Target Steven Kwan Again?

[Bryan Jaeger]

At last season's trade deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays were sitting atop the AL East with a narrow lead over the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The Blue Jays' front office was gearing up to be aggressive after making only three postseason trips since 2016, which, at that time, was the last year they made it to the ALCS.  

Pitching was the focus, as Shane Bieber, Seranthony Domínguez, and Louis Varland joined the squad. As for the offense, Ty France was the only notable hitter the Jays acquired. Steven Kwan was ESPN's top hitter to be considered as a trade candidate, and he was linked to the Blue Jays due to injuries and inexperience in their outfield.

Fortunately, general manager Ross Atkins was rewarded for sticking with the inexperienced Addison Barger, Nathan Lukes, and Joey Loperfido, who all logged meaningful innings in the outfield during the final stretch of last season. Daulton Varsho staying healthy for the last two months of the regular season and the postseason was also a massive contributor to the team's success. He hit 12 of his 20 home runs in August and September. Occasional outfielder George Springer, who produced his best statistics since 2019, was also a significant and unexpected factor in the Blue Jays' run to the World Series.

The Cleveland Guardians avoided arbitration with Kwan earlier this month, as the two sides agreed to a one-year, $7.725 million contract. He still has an additional year of team control before becoming a free agent ahead of the 2028 season, when he will be 30. While his name has popped up in some trade rumors this winter, the 2026 trade deadline may be the prime time for the Guardians to trade the left fielder, presuming they don't intend to pay him when he becomes a free agent.

Kwan has been one of the most consistent contact hitters since his debut in 2022. He lacks power, but he is the epitome of a traditional leadoff batter. The lefty can work his way on base and put the ball in play. Last season, though, he struggled to draw walks, posting a career-worst 7.9 walk percentage, but he also had a career-best 8.7 strikeout percentage.

His .283 BABIP (batting average on balls in play) was also a career worst. Yet, once Kwan got on base, he was ready to advance – also typical of a leadoff hitter. He tied his career-high in stolen bases, stealing safely on 21 of 26 attempts. The left fielder was also superb in the field, winning his fourth consecutive AL Gold Glove Award. His 7.6 FanGraphs Def led to a 3.2 fWAR, despite finishing with the first negative offensive rating (-0.4) of his career.

Obviously, the decision whether or not to target Kwan at the deadline would depend on the Blue Jays' health and performance during the first half of the 2026 season. The cost to acquire one of the Guardians' better players will also have to be considered. The latter may be the exact reason the Blue Jays do not ultimately acquire the left fielder. As Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller stated, "[Trading Kwan] only makes sense for the Guardians if they're getting multiple, MLB-caliber starting pitchers in the deal.”

A trade package like that may eliminate the Blue Jays. The only prospects closest to qualifying for such a package would be Ricky Tiedemann, Adam Macko, Angel Bastardo, Lazaro Estrada, and maybe Gage Stanifer. All of these arms, except Stanifer, could make their MLB debuts this upcoming season. I'm not including Trey Yesavage, as he's the Blue Jays' future ace, and it would be insane to trade him for Kwan. Other teams vying for Kwan will likely have more enticing options to offer the Guardians, as these Blue Jays prospects aren't fully MLB battle-tested. 

Considering that five of the six starting pitchers on the Blue Jays' 26-man roster, including José Berríos, are over 30 years old, it doesn't make sense to trade away young pitchers who may be relied on more as soon as the 2027 season. Kevin Gausman and Bieber's contracts both expire after the upcoming season. The only way trading young pitchers would work out in the Blue Jays' favor would be if Kwan were a few years younger.

He is a player who relies on his speed, but he will be 29 before the 2027 season. So, the possibility of his skill set deteriorating in his thirties could make an extension a bad idea. The Blue Jays have plenty of outfield help to get by without needing to hamper the organization's future. However, if injuries shorten the outfield depth, then the Blue Jays may be desperate to improve after a World Series runner-up finish last season. That's precisely why Kwan makes more sense as a possible mid-season acquisition, rather than a trade target right now.

Regardless of when he's dealt, Steven Kwan could definitely help Toronto, but he will come at an extremely steep price. The cost may be more than the Blue Jays are willing to pay.

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[Leo Morgenstern]

Steven Kwan is a great player, and I'd love to see him on the Blue Jays. But I agree that the Jays shouldn't be anywhere near desperate enough to pay what the Guardians seem to be asking for. 

In terms of finding room for Kwan on the roster, though, I don't think it's as complicated as some might think. There's a strong chance that any trade package that brings Kwan to Toronto would send Addison Barger back to Cleveland. 

[Spanky__99]

No thanks.