NEW YORK — The New York Yankees are heading into one of their most decisive offseasons in years, and the search for outfield help has zeroed in on one name — Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan.
A trade sending Jasson Dominguez, Will Warren, and Jorbit Vivas to Cleveland could solve several of the Yankees’ biggest problems at once.
The Yankees must rebuild two-thirds of their outfield after Cody Bellinger opted out and Trent Grisham entered free agency. Cleveland, meanwhile, faces a choice on Kwan as his arbitration price climbs and no extension has been reached.
Bold prediction gaining traction
SNY’s Anthony McCarron stirred conversation by predicting that the Yankees could land Kwan this winter. His first idea was a straight one-for-one swap involving top prospect Spencer Jones, but league insiders say Cleveland would ask for more.
“Spencer for Steven, even up: Schooled by the Jays all year, including in October, the Yanks nab something from Toronto’s playbook and add non-strikeout, plus-contact offense to their roster via trade by dangling top prospect Spencer Jones,” McCarron wrote while listing bold predictions for SNY.
Realistically, Jones alone would not secure Kwan. However, a Yankees package built around Dominguez, Warren, and Vivas aligns better with what the Guardians could agree for their two-time All-Star. The trade deal could be sweetened by adding rising arms Ben Hess or Bryce Cunningham. Even a combination of Dominguez, Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, and Vivas could also entice Cleveland.
Kwan is entering his final arbitration year before free agency in 2027, and Cleveland seems unwilling to commit long-term. That puts either this offseason or the 2026 deadline as the logical window to move him at peak value.
Why Kwan fits the Yankees
Kwan is almost tailor-made for the Yankees’ lineup problems. The Yankees ranked sixth in Major League Baseball in strikeout rate (23.5 percent) in 2025, while Kwan fanned in only 8.7 percent of his plate appearances — the best mark in the American League.
“Can they pry Steven Kwan from Cleveland? He’d be an ideal leadoff hitter who also happens to be the best defensive left fielder in baseball,” McCarron wrote. “And Yankee Stadium’s spacious left field needs proper tending. Kwan had an 8.7 percent strikeout rate this past season. The MLB average is 22.5 percent; Yanks had the sixth-highest rate in MLB (23.5 percent).”
The 28-year-old hit .272 with a .330 on-base percentage and .374 slugging across 156 games in 2025. He swiped 21 bases, scored 81 runs, and owns a career .351 OBP — elite leadoff material.
“He’s a pest at the plate in the best way,” said an American League scout. “Kwan works counts, puts pressure on pitchers, and gives you a professional at-bat every time.”
Those contact skills contrast sharply with the strikeout-heavy Yankees. His approach would bring balance to a lineup often too dependent on the long ball.
Defensive edge that changes games
Kwan’s glove is his greatest weapon. He captured his fourth straight Gold Glove Award in 2025, joining Kenny Lofton as the only Cleveland outfielders ever to do so.
Advanced numbers reinforce it: he led all MLB players with 22 Defensive Runs Saved and paced all outfielders with nine assists. Statcast credited him with plus-12 Fielding Run Value, the top figure among corner outfielders.
Yankee Stadium’s vast left field would benefit from that range and instinct. New York has cycled through inconsistent defenders there for years; Kwan would immediately turn the position into a strength.
Statcast also places his arm strength in the 68th percentile, enough to make runners think twice. His presence alone could change how opponents run on the Yankees.
“Steven brings elite defense, plate discipline, and the kind of presence atop the order we’ve been missing,” a Yankees front-office source told. “He fits the way we want to play the game.”
What the Yankees would give up
A deal would almost certainly start with Jasson Dominguez. The 22-year-old switch-hitter remains one of baseball’s flashiest talents despite injury setbacks. His mix of power and speed projects him as a franchise piece.
Will Warren, 26, would give Cleveland needed rotation depth. He posted a 3.41 ERA over 152 innings at Triple-A in 2025, featuring a heavy sinker and wipeout slider. He’s under team control through 2030.
Jorbit Vivas, 23, adds infield flexibility and bat-to-ball skill. His ability to cover multiple positions raises his trade value.
Dominguze gives the Guardians the kind of middle-of-the-order upside they’ve lacked, and Warren could be in their rotation by May. It’s a strong return for a player they are ready to ship.
Cleveland finished 28th in runs in 2025 and had a team OPS+ of 85. Their offense desperately needs power, and a trade could infuse that while boosting the pitching staff.
The financial side
Kwan’s contract control is another advantage. He earned $4.175 million in 2025 and is projected near $8.8 million in 2026. His final arbitration year in 2027 could climb to $12–15 million. That’s exceptional value for a three-to-four WAR player.
Comparable free-agent outfielders cost $25–30 million per year; Cody Bellinger is eyeing roughly $180 million this winter. By comparison, Kwan’s total salary through 2027 might reach just $20 million, letting the Yankees redirect savings toward pitching or bullpen depth.
Such cost certainty matters under luxury-tax pressure. Adding an All-Star-level defender and table-setter at a bargain rate could reshape the Yankees’ roster balance.
Why Cleveland might say yes
The Guardians’ payroll limits make Kwan’s rising price a concern. Talks about a long-term deal have stalled, even though he wants to stay.
Cleveland’s farm is stacked with outfielders — 10 of its top 30 prospects play the position, including George Valera and Chase DeLauter. At the same time, the club wants more power after ranking 28th in runs.
“We had conversations, but the gap was wide,” a Guardians front-office official told Cleveland.com on background. “We felt this was the right time to explore a move.”
Several contenders — the Dodgers, Padres, Phillies, and Blue Jays — asked about Kwan at the 2025 deadline, but Cleveland held firm for its playoff push.
MLB Trade Rumors listed Kwan 14th among offseason trade candidates, citing Cleveland’s track record of moving players two years before free agency when extension talks break down. They did the same with Francisco Lindor, Corey Kluber, and Mike Clevinger.
Dealing Kwan now could accelerate a retool while bringing back controllable young talent.
The prospect dilemma in New York
Moving Dominguez would sting for the Yankees. Nicknamed The Martian, he combines switch-hitting power with strong defense and projects as a future star.
Spencer Jones further complicates the discussion. He hit 35 minor-league homers this year but will be 25 next season and hasn’t debuted in the majors. His strikeout rate remains high, another red flag.
Cleveland will not settle for just one of them. A larger package that includes multiple controllable pieces is more realistic, even if it costs the Yankees future upside.
Dominguez’s health questions and the Yankees’ win-now mindset point toward dealing prospects for proven players. Warren’s six years of control and big-league-ready arsenal sweeten the offer, while Vivas gives Cleveland depth without blocking anyone.
Yankees’ urgency and opportunity
The Yankees can’t risk entering 2026 with holes in the outfield. Aaron Judge is the lone sure starter, and the club needs established production, not speculation.
Kwan directly addresses three Yankee weaknesses — excessive strikeouts, poor left-field defense, and lack of on-base threats. He would set the table for Judge and the power bats behind him. His consistency would end the Yankees’ revolving door on the left side.
For Cleveland, the trio of Dominguez, Warren, and Vivas represents substantial value without gutting New York’s entire farm. Each side fills critical needs. Whether the front offices can agree on timing and pieces remains to be seen, but the framework makes sense for both.
Sometimes the trades that seem obvious are exactly the ones that get done. For the Yankees, Steven Kwan could be the spark that turns an unsettled offseason into a winning formula.
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