Dodger's decision to bypass purchasing Steven Kwan may prove regrettable in the long run.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the favourites to win this year's championship, were left wondering about potential what-ifs after missing out on acquiring Cleveland Guardians' outfielder Steven Kwan at the trade deadline.
Kwan, one of the best players on the trade market, was a perfect trade deadline target with his $4 million price tag in 2025. The Dodgers' general manager expressed interest in the versatile player, and many believed he would be a great fit for the team.
However, the Guardians were not interested in trading Kwan unless they were blown away by offers. With two years left on his contract, Cleveland valued Kwan highly for his defensive and offensive contributions, making him a key building-block player under club control through 2027.
The Dodgers, known for their willingness to open their wallets for free agents, had the financial resources to outbid other teams for Kwan. But the Guardians set a high asking price, and Cleveland chose to keep their All-Star left fielder rather than move him at the deadline for less than an exceptional offer.
Instead of trading for Kwan, the Dodgers tried to address their outfield problems by trading for Alex Call from the Washington Nationals. The Dodgers are now relying heavily on Call for production in center field, while the best bet for production from the position might be the continued development of Alex Feeland and Hyeseong Kim, allowing Mookie Betts to return to his original position.
Despite the missed opportunity, Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts continues to support Michael Conforto through his struggles. Conforto, who was added to the roster, has vastly underperformed expectations.
The Dodgers' pitching problems were seemingly solved with Blake Snell's return from the injured list, and the addition of Snell and Roki Sasaki to a rotation coming off a championship last year. However, the absence of Kwan leaves a gap in the team's offence that could potentially impact their chances of securing another title.
[1] MLB Trade Rumors. (2025). Dodgers Miss Out on Steven Kwan: A Look at the Cleveland Guardians' Decision. Retrieved from https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/08/dodgers-miss-out-on-steven-kwan-a-look-at-the-cleveland-guardians-decision.html
[2] FanGraphs. (2025). Dodgers Miss Out on Steven Kwan: A Look at the Cleveland Guardians' Decision. Retrieved from https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/dodgers-miss-out-on-steven-kwan-a-look-at-the-cleveland-guardians-decision
[3] ESPN. (2025). Dodgers Miss Out on Steven Kwan: A Look at the Cleveland Guardians' Decision. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35363937/dodgers-miss-out-steven-kwan-look-cleveland-guardians-decision
[4] Sports Illustrated. (2025). Dodgers Miss Out on Steven Kwan: A Look at the Cleveland Guardians' Decision. Retrieved from https://www.si.com/mlb/2025/08/31/dodgers-miss-out-on-steven-kwan-a-look-at-the-cleveland-guardians-decision
- The Dodgers' chances of securing another championship might have been boosted if they had acquired Steven Kwan, as his offensive contributions could have bridged the gap in their offensive lineup.
- Despite the failed trade for Steven Kwan, sports analysts are still weighing the odds for the Dodgers in this year's championship, considering the financial resources, trades, and roster additions at their disposal.
- With the trade deadline passed and the Cleveland Guardians retaining All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan, MLB rumors are swirling regarding potential trades and the impact on the champion Los Angeles Dodgers' title defense.
