The Cincinnati Reds are trying to chase down the San Francisco Giants for the final wild card spot in the National League, and MLB insider Jeff Passan of ESPN thinks that in-state rival Steven Kwan is a match to their needs at the trade deadline.
The Cleveland Guardians have tumbled down the standings, and with the Detroit Tigers running away with the American League Central, could find themselves selling at the end of July.
Kwan is a two-time All-Star in his short four-year career with the Guardians, and while he is under team control until after the 2027 season, it would take a decent package to convince Cleveland to let go of their left fielder.
Kwan’s trade value is high, and the Reds may be unwilling to part with much of their farm system to acquire the lefty. But if they are, placing him in a lineup with Elly De La Cruz and TJ Friedl would give the Reds an offensive jolt to help them battle up the standings down the stretch.
The Guardians control the future of Kwan, and with a couple more seasons of team control left, there is an opportunity that the Guardians keep Kwan as a building block for the future and extend him. But if Cleveland has no plans to do so, the Reds would be an electric landing spot for the outfielder and would give Cincinnati a strong lineup to send out behind their fire-balling starting rotation.
If Kwan hits the market, the Reds should be one of the first teams in line to bid for his services.
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