Dodgers Rumors: Dodgers to Reignite Trade Talk with Guardians Steven Kwan this Offseason

LOS ANGELES, CA—While the annual General Manager Meeting gets started in Las Vegas, Nevada, today, the Los Angeles Dodgers, among several other organizations, will begin to lay the groundwork for the upcoming 2026 season.

The Dodgers, fresh off back-to-back World Series wins, will look to revamp their roster for the upcoming season as they look to join the exclusive club of becoming three-peat winners.

However, one area that the team will need to address before any of that happens is the outfield.

It was no secret that, besides the bullpen, the most significant area of concern for Los Angeles was the outfield, despite center fielder Andy Pages nearly being an All-Star.

Teoscar Hernández, who was rewarded with a multi-year deal after his contribution during the 2024 season, regressed offensively and dealt with a groin injury while also having his below-average defense at full display in right field.

Michael Conforto, whom the Dodgers signed last winter to a 1-year prove-it deal, backfired massively with the left-handed hitter posting just an 83 wRC+ in 486 plate appearances.

Despite that lack of production, the Dodgers opted to stand pat at the deadline (primarily due to Conforto posting a 131 wRC+ in July), just acquiring outfielder Alex Call in a trade with the Washington Nationals.

Despite that, the team was heavily invested in outfielder Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians, but ultimately did not meet the heavy asking price before the deadline.

Well, according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, the Dodgers are expected to resume those trade talks this winter.

They nearly traded him to the Dodgers at the trade deadline and Los Angeles will come calling again. The price-tag will be high, but the Dodgers certainly have the prospect capital.

The Dodgers’ investment in Kwan makes sense as the outfielder would check a massive box off their to-do list for the upcoming season.

Kwan is regarded as one of the top contact hitters in the game. Last season, over 156 games, he recorded a .272 batting average and a .704 OPS. In 2024, the California native improved to a .292 batting average with a .793 OPS.

Alongside his distinctive offensive skills, Kwan is also known for his solid defensive reputation. Baseball Savant reports that the 28-year-old was in the 95th percentile for Fielding Run Value last season. Additionally, he has secured four consecutive Gold Glove Awards.

Kwan is under team control for another two seasons before becoming a free agent at the end of the 2027 season, which would explain the hefty price tag on him from the Guardians.

Per MLB Trade Rumors, Kwan is only projected to earn an estimated $8.8 million in arbitration this season, a massive bargain for his services and a low hit on the already massive payroll of the Dodgers.

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