The October Flaw: The lineup is heavy on “Three True Outcomes” (HR, BB, K) bats—Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy. While devastating in the regular season, the swing-and-miss profile is often exposed by elite, high-velocity playoff pitching.
The Unstable Outfield: The current outfield, beyond Teoscar Hernández in right, lacks a stabilized, elite defender, particularly in center or left. Relying on short-term veteran rentals like the ineffective Michael Conforto experiment or waiting on prospects like Andy Pages to stabilize the defense is a poor use of the championship window. Why Steven Kwan is the “Perfect Fit” Steven Kwan, at age 27, is the ultimate anti-aging, anti-swing-and-miss solution. He provides balance, durability, and elite defense—everything the Dodgers currently lack.
Contact-First Offense: Kwan’s consistent rank among MLB leaders in contact rate, strikeout avoidance, and on-base percentage changes the texture of the Dodgers’ lineup. He is the ideal table-setter who keeps the line moving and denies pitchers easy outs, translating perfectly to high-leverage postseason situations.
Gold Glove Defense: His elite defense in both left and center field immediately addresses a critical need for range on a team that has become too slow in key positions.
Long-Term Control: Unlike a veteran rental, Kwan is young, arbitration-eligible, and under team control for years. This aligns perfectly with the Dodgers’ historical model of building around a superstar core (Betts, Ohtani, Freeman) using affordable, high-value, controllable talent. Trade Rumor Context The idea of the Dodgers pursuing Kwan is not mere speculation; it’s a known industry narrative.
Renewed Interest: Trade rumors confirm that the Dodgers are expected to renew their failed trade deadline chase of the Guardians star this offseason.
High Price: The Guardians have been consistently “stern on their asking price,” reportedly seeking elite, near big-league-ready prospects in any deal for Kwan, who is under control for two more years. This high asking price is why the trade hasn’t happened yet, but the Dodgers possess the prospect capital (e.g., Josue De Paula, Alex Freeland, Jackson Merris) to meet it. The analysis is correct: trading for Kwan is the smartest and most forward-thinking move the Dodgers can make to extend their window and correct their structural roster imbalance. Given the high-price nature of this potential trade, would you like me to research the latest trade rumors involving the Guardians’ asking price for Steven Kwan?
