Blue Jays trade deadline target: Steven Kwan

One of the best defensive left fielders could be available before Thursday’s trade deadline.

Steven Kwan is one of many players whose names have been in the rumour mill. In ESPN’s recent top 50 trade candidates article, the publication listed him as the fifth-best player who could be available, albeit with a 10% chance of being traded. The Toronto Blue Jays were one of six teams listed as a best fit.

It seems unlikely that the Cleveland Guardians will trade the left-handed batting outfielder, but if they do, the Blue Jays should have plenty of interest. Let’s get to know Kwan.

Scouting profile

Kwan stands at 5’8”, 170 lbs and is a hit-over-power type of player. In 2025, Kwan is slashing .286/.351/.412 with nine home runs in 440 plate appearances, along with a higher BB% (8.9%) than K% (8.4%).

His stats are similar to the rest of his career totals, as he’s slashing .285/.357/.399 with 34 home runs in 2,334 career plate appearances. By trading for Kwan, the Blue Jays would get an everyday lead-off hitter.

That said, he does come with flaws. As a left-handed batter, Kwan has struggled against left-handed pitching this season. In 151 plate appearances against lefties, Kwan hasn’t hit a home run and is slashing .257/.307/.301 for a 71 wRC+. For his career, Kwan is slashing .278/.337/.351 with six home runs in 674 plate appearances for a 97 wRC+ against left-handed pitching.

Kwan plays in left field and is arguably the best defender at the position. So far this season, he has 14 Defensive Runs Saved and 0 Outs Above Average in 844.2 innings. For his career, he already has 61 DRS and 20 OAA in just 4,206.1 innings in left field, winning a Gold Glove in his first three seasons.

Imagine him and Daulton Varsho in the outfield.

Contract situation

Kwan’s ability to make contact and defend already makes him incredibly valuable. Add in the fact that he earns $4.175 million this season and has two more years of arbitration, and it’ll take a king’s ransom to acquire him.

Unsurprisingly, if the Blue Jays were to acquire the 27-year-old, it would push them to over $281 million, meaning that they’d drop down 10 picks in the 2026 draft with their first-rounder. It doesn’t matter who they acquire at this season’s trade deadline, unless they move money out, they’ll be over the mark.

How does Kwan help the Blue Jays?

Although Kwan may be one of the better players a team could pry away from a seller, he may not be as big of a help as one would think. He fits the team profile of small ball with stellar defence and has term left on his contract, but the package the Jays give up should be used on pitching or a power bat.

If they were to trade for him, that would create a bigger logjam in the outfield than they already have. Assuming Anthony Santander returns to health by the end of the season, there’ll be three spots for Addison Barger, Davis Schneider, Varsho, Nathan Lukes, George Springer, Santander, Myles Straw, Joey Loperfido, and Alan Roden.

Of course, the Jays brass would figure that out, and Kwan would certainly help, but the Jays should be targeting a power bat if they acquire a position player.