The “ridiculous” three-team trade proposals circulating among MLB insiders—often fueled by content creators seeking maximum buzz—revolve around the Los Angeles Dodgers acquiring Cleveland’s Steven Kwan by leveraging the high salaries and contract situations of other star players.
While the exact source of a specific three-team trade involving Kwan and the Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. is difficult to pinpoint among the numerous hypothetical mock trades, the core of the discussion focuses on how the Dodgers could use their prospect depth to acquire Kwan while another team uses the deal to offload a massive contract.
The Proposed Core Deal (Dodgers Acquire Steven Kwan)
The Dodgers have been heavily linked to Steven Kwan—the Gold Glove-winning, elite contact hitter from the Cleveland Guardians—since the 2025 trade deadline. The core of the trade would involve:
| Team | Player Acquired | Rationale |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | Steven Kwan (OF) | Fills the biggest immediate hole: a high-OBP, elite defender under club control through 2027. |
| Cleveland Guardians | Top Dodgers Prospects (e.g., Dalton Rushing, Diego Cartaya, or perhaps a higher-rated pitcher) | The Guardians demand an “unprecedented” haul of young, near-ready talent for their controllable star. |
The “Ridiculous” Third Team: The Padres and Fernando Tatis Jr.
The inclusion of the San Diego Padres and Fernando Tatis Jr. is what elevates the trade from a blockbuster to the realm of the “ridiculous.”
- The Scenario: A hypothetical trade would have the Padres move Tatis (and his colossal contract: 11 years, $330 million remaining) to a different team—perhaps the Yankees or a payroll-flush contender—who want the 27-year-old superstar but are wary of giving up top prospects. The prospects acquired from the Tatis deal could then be redirected to the Guardians for Kwan.
- The Logic: The Dodgers would not acquire Tatis (as their need is a high-OBP outfielder, not a high-strikeout slugger), but the three-team mechanism would serve to:
- Fund the Kwan acquisition by using the prospects Tatis commands.
- Allow the Padres to shed Tatis’s long-term salary for financial relief, a move that is constantly rumored despite the Padres’ public denial of any plans to trade their franchise cornerstone.
Why Steven Kwan is the Dodgers’ Ideal Target
While Kyle Tucker is the top free agent, Kwan represents the ideal acquisition for the Dodgers’ long-term plan, especially after the ankle surgery to Tommy Edman.
- Defense & Contact: Kwan has won a Gold Glove in all four of his MLB seasons and possesses elite bat-to-ball skills (striking out at an 8.7% clip in 2025, top 1% in MLB).
- Controllability: Unlike a free agent like Tucker, Kwan is under club control through 2027, giving the Dodgers multiple championship windows with a controllable, elite player—a preference of President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman.
In short, the Dodgers are expected to aggressively pursue Kwan, and while a trade for him may require a historic prospect package, the inclusion of a third team (like the Padres moving a huge contract) is an insider’s fantasy designed to add maximum chaos and drama to the offseason.
