Cubs could land Steven Kwan in this trade that keeps Guardians ball alive

With the Chicago Cubs likely losing Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ to free agency, considering a trade for Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan could make a ton of sense. Cleveland is a team that thrives on maximizing trade value for players before they have to pay them. And since Kwan has one year left on his contract, this offseason feels like the right time for both teams.

From the Cubs' perspective, Kwan would instantly slot into left field to replace Happ. Chicago wouldn't sacrifice anything from a defensive perspective since Kwan has won four straight Gold Glove Awards and is a finalist for a fifth this year. More importantly, Kwan would be a much-needed upgrade at the plate.

Kwan is not a power hitter in the traditional sense, with only 39 home runs to his name over five MLB seasons. But he makes up for it with incredible contact-hitting skills that rival Nico Hoerner. Kwan ranked in the top 95% of all MLB hitters last year in chase rate (19.8%), Whiff rate (8.2%), and strikeout percentage (9.7%). In 2026, Kwan also set a career high in walks (85) and on-base percentage (.382), adding another dimension to his already elite approach at the plate.

Adding Kwan for 2027 would also buy time for the Cubs' outfield prospects to develop. Guys like Josiah Hartshorn (Cubs' no. 1), Ethan Conrad (no. 3), and Kane Kepley (no. 5) could all be part of the team's future, but none of them have reached the Triple-A level yet.

What would a Steven Kwan trade look like?

Kwan is an excellent player who the Guardians are looking to get a decent return for. However, he is also only on a one-year contract, so he shouldn't require a king's ransom to get.

Cubs get: OF Steven Kwan
Guardians get: OF Kevin Alcantara, 1B/ 3B B.J. Murray

This may seem like too much to Cubs fans, but you can't make this trade without parting with good players. Plus, with Alex Bregman and Michael Busch locked into the Cubs' infield, B.J. Murray is blocked at the MLB level. In this scenario, Kwan would man left field in Chicago alongside Pete Crow-Armstrong in center and a likely platoon situation in right field between Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramirez.

From Cleveland's perspective, you acquire two former top prospects at positions of need who are MLB-ready. Murray can help at first base with Nathaniel Lowe hitting free agency and provide depth at third base behind Jose Ramirez. Alcantara can play all three outfield positions and could be an immediate replacement for Kwan in center field. He would also be in a better situation for regular playing time, something the Cubs have never been able to provide.

With the Cubs' wealth of position players, this trade would check a major box off the to-do list this winter without sacrificing valuable pitching depth.

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