The Toronto Blue Jays are in a rare position: first place in the AL East, a top-five offense, and a legitimate chance to make a deep postseason run. But with the trade deadline fast approaching, their most glaring weakness remains in the outfield, especially with Daulton Varsho and Anthony Santander banged up, and George Springer increasingly limited to DH duties. Enter: Steven Kwan.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers are among the teams showing “a ton” of interest in Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan. And if Toronto wants to stay in front of the pack, they’ll need to move quickly before Los Angeles outbids them.
Kwan Is the Perfect Fit for Toronto’s Win-Now Push
On paper, Kwan fits everything the Blue Jays need. He’s a left-handed contact hitter who rarely strikes out, plays elite defense in left field, and is under team control through 2028. Even in a slightly down year, Kwan has slashed .287/.351/.411 with nine home runs, 11 stolen bases, and a 115 wRC+. He leads all left fielders with +13 Defensive Runs Saved and brings the kind of table-setting approach that complements Toronto’s power-heavy lineup.
While names like Addison Barger and Davis Schneider have done their best to keep the outfield afloat, they’re not postseason solutions. John Schneider’s club needs a consistent everyday presence in left field, and Kwan’s skill set and postseason-ready profile make him one of the best all-around position players available on the market.
Adding Kwan would also give Toronto long-term flexibility. With his arbitration years still ahead, the Blue Jays could keep him beyond 2025 or explore a long-term extension. In a league where contact-oriented hitters with elite defense are increasingly rare, Kwan checks both boxes, without breaking the payroll.
Dodgers Loom Large, and Time Is Running Out
But Toronto isn’t bidding for Kwan in a vacuum. The Dodgers, armed with one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, are also in the mix and could easily beat the Blue Jays in a bidding war. LA is reportedly eyeing a new left fielder to replace Michael Conforto, and Kwan would form a lethal outfield trio alongside Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernández. If the Guardians were looking for the best offer, Los Angeles would have the edge in prospect capital.
That’s why the Blue Jays must act fast and decisively. Cleveland knows it doesn’t have to move Kwan, who remains under control for three more seasons. But with Emmanuel Clase on administrative leave and the team four games out of the AL Wild Card, the Guardians may be more open to selling than they were two weeks ago.
Rosenthal has also noted that Cleveland and Toronto have worked together on multiple significant trades in recent years. That history could help bridge the negotiation gap—if the Jays are willing to meet the price.
What is the reported package that could get it done? Outfielder Addison Barger and top pitching prospect Trey Yesavage. It’s steep—but if Toronto truly believes it can win the World Series this year, it’s the kind of deal worth making.
Kwan may not be the flashiest name on the block, but his consistency, elite defense, and elite contact ability would round out a lineup already capable of doing damage. And with a shrinking trade market and elite contenders circling, the Blue Jays can’t afford to wait.
If they believe Kwan is the missing piece, they must move before the Dodgers do.
Blue Jays Must Act Fast to Land All-Star Before Dodgers Do