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Giants Should Pursue Trade for Guardians Outfielder Kwan
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- Giants Should Pursue Trade for Guardians Outfielder Kwan
(© David Dermer-Imagn Images)
Steven Kwan is not a prototypical MLB outfielder, but he would immediately become the best outfielder on the San Francisco Giants roster.
Kwan is entering the last year of his contract, making him a logical trade target. The Cleveland Guardians frequently move established players before free agency to recover value and replace them with less expensive talent.
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That is the anticipated outcome for Kwan because Cleveland is not positioned to extend every homegrown player. The Guardians continually exchange proven players for cost-controlled talent, and they execute that process effectively.
How Kwan fits with Giants
Kwan would bring the contact, speed and defense San Francisco needs. He consistently provides all three, while his athleticism could transform the top of a lineup that has lacked speed for several years.
The 29-year-old has stolen at least 20 bases in two of his five MLB seasons and recorded 19 during another. The Giants ranked 22nd with 88 stolen bases in 2026. He could move them closer to the middle of MLB while making it easier to manufacture runs.
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Kwan owns a career .282 batting average in 2,845 at-bats and has collected 127 doubles in 734 games. His speed could potentially turn some extra-base hits into triples, creating additional scoring opportunities.
More importantly, Kwan provides Gold Glove defense in the outfield.
He would resemble Luis Arraez while adding greater speed. The primary drawback is that Kwan bats left-handed and would join a lineup that already appears heavily left-handed entering the winter.
Why trading for Kwan is possible
His expiring contract represents another reason for the Giants to pursue him. Teams often trade players they do not anticipate retaining rather than lose them without receiving anything.
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Kwan would not be available for an insignificant return, but the price should not become outrageously high. A mid-level prospect and San Francisco assuming his entire salary could potentially complete the deal.
Kwan is projected to earn $11.3 million, which the Giants can absorb to reduce the prospect cost. San Francisco should be willing to invest after avoiding significant spending last winter.
President of baseball operations Buster Posey and the front office should become more active following the disappointment of 2026.
The Giants also have a history of bringing Bay Area-born players home, including Brandon Crawford and Joc Pederson.
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Kwan was born in Palo Alto and grew up supporting the Giants. Playing in San Francisco would make it easier for his family to attend games, although that represents only one part of the appeal.
The Giants could attempt to sign Kwan to an extension lasting through the remainder of his career, making him a permanent outfield fixture. A shorter agreement could instead retain him throughout his prime.
San Francisco's difficulty attracting local stars remains concerning.
The Giants pursued Aaron Judge before he returned to the New York Yankees . Their history of falling short with Northern California players creates the possibility that the same outcome could happen with Kwan.
