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'I love it here': Steven Kwan trying to block out trade rumors, discusses contract situation
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- 'I love it here': Steven Kwan trying to block out trade rumors, discusses contract situation
CLEVELAND — For MLB players thought to be potentially available, the trade deadline can be a whirlwind of rumors, hear-say and whispers. Many try to tune all of it out, though it can be difficult to truly filter out all of the news flying around the league.
Guardians All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan has been learning that lesson over the last few days.
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"It's obviously hard to ignore the news, but just going back to it, I can't do anything about it," Kwan said. "It will all take care of itself when it comes. But, for now, it's just social media news. It doesn't mean much."
Kwan is among the best available players on the trade market before the July 31 deadline. Interest from rival teams has picked up in part because of the approaching deadline and in part because of Emmanuel Clase being placed on paid leave through at least Aug. 31 while Major League Baseball conducts its investigation into gambling. Luis Ortiz is also sidelined through that date for the season reason.
The Guardians are known to stand their ground when it comes to internal trade value, so it's unlikely they'd panic over the Clase news, even if it is a gut-punch to their playoff chances — as they walked off the field July 30 with a win over the Colorado Rockies , they were three games out of a wild card spot.
Will Steven Kwan be dealt at the trade deadline?
Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan celebrates a win over the Colorado Rockies on July 30, 2025, in Cleveland.
But Clase being sidelined for at least roughly a month — and possibly much, much longer if the league finds any wrong doing — might have signaled to other teams that although Cleveland's front office might not budge on the value needed to strike a deal, the opening was indeed there to make some moves if the price was right.
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So, for the July 30 game, Kwan was in his normal leadoff spot and playing his normal position in left field. But this week has been anything but normal.
"It's a crazy time," Kwan said. "I see it. I've never had this happen to me before, but I can't do anything about it. Pondering on it and thinking about it isn't going to change anything."
In a strange way, all the potential trade attention can be flattering.
"It's affirming," Kwan said of all the rumors. "If you get traded ... it means somebody wants you. So to hear all these teams be attached is very flattering. It's just crazy thinking that it could be a different change of scenery, even when I just think about it a little bit."
Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan, center, celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals on July 26, 2025, in Kansas City.
Steven Kwan contract
Kwan's value doesn't just rest in his all-star level of play as one of the game's best leadoff hitters, but in his contract situation, as he's under club control through the 2027 season as he progresses through the arbitration process. It means from this point he can help a team in three postseason runs.
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To date, Kwan and the Guardians haven't come to agreement on a long-term contract extension that would keep him in Cleveland through, at minimum, 2028 or beyond.
Kwan said this week it's something he'd be open to it. But in terms of getting a deal done anytime soon, it'd likely need to wait until the winter before discussions could even begin. Kwan acknowledged negotiating a long-term deal during the season could be a distraction, and it's not how the Guardians often operate anyway, instead preferring to cease talks once Opening Day rolls around.
"I would love [to stay in Cleveland]," Kwan said. "I love it here, and I love everything about this place. [If] they gave me the opportunity, I would love to.
"Knowing how Cleveland works and all that kind of stuff, I think it would be outside of their realm, as well. So I don't want to waste their time with that. They have a certain way of doing things, and they've been successful with that."
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan addresses trade rumors, contract
