Few players in baseball have improved their stock the way Steven Kwan has over the past two seasons. Long regarded as a disciplined hitter with exceptional control of the strike zone, Kwan elevated his game in 2025, posting one of the league’s highest contact rates while once again proving he is among MLB’s most dependable left-field defenders. His consistency has turned him into a rare commodity: a player who blends reliability, athleticism, and high baseball IQ in ways that teams desperately covet.
That growing demand has collided with a sudden shift on the Mets’ side. New York, frustrated by uneven offensive production, has made it clear that their priority this winter is acquiring players who can get on base, avoid strikeouts, and set the tone at the top of the lineup. As their willingness to overspend — both in prospects and payroll — becomes public, analysts believe the Guardians hold leverage they rarely possess.
With the Mets increasingly aggressive, Kwan’s value rises with every rumor that leaks.
For Cleveland, the conversation isn’t simple. Kwan represents everything they traditionally value: consistency, humility, defense, and an old-school approach to hitting. But baseball is a business of timing, and front offices are quietly admitting that Kwan’s current trade value may never be this high again. His combination of elite contact skills, elite defense, and years of team control makes him attractive to contenders willing to pay a premium — something the Guardians have historically used to reshape their roster.
Analysts warn that while moving Kwan would be painful, the return package could be immense: impact bats, MLB-ready prospects, or pitching depth that aligns with Cleveland’s long-term strategy. The Guardians face ongoing questions about offensive power and run production, and dealing Kwan while his value peaks could open doors to solutions they otherwise couldn’t afford.
Of course, there is a cost — one deeper than statistics. Kwan is a fan favorite, a clubhouse stabilizer, and a symbol of Cleveland’s development system at its best. Trading him risks disrupting chemistry and disappointing a loyal fan base that has embraced his underdog story and quiet dominance since his debut.
More importantly, his skill set is exceptionally hard to replace. Players with elite bat-to-ball ability, low strikeout rates, and Gold Glove defense are increasingly rare in today’s power-driven league. Even if Cleveland gains power hitters or pitching depth in return, they may lose the glue that holds their lineup together.
This is the dilemma that defines modern baseball: chasing long-term potential at the cost of present reliability.
As the offseason intensifies, the Guardians find themselves at a crossroads. Keeping Kwan means committing to a known, dependable leader who anchors the top of the lineup and the outfield. Trading him means embracing risk in exchange for the possibility of transformative upgrades.
With the Mets pushing harder each day and the market dictating an unprecedented value spike, the front office must decide whether now is the moment to make the bold move — or whether some players are simply too essential to part with.
Either way, the outcome will echo through Cleveland’s future for years.
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