Padres Will Pursue Trade for Outfielder Steven Kwan

The San Diego Padres are expected to target the four-time Gold Glove winner during the 2026-2027 offseason.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Baseball

Padres Will Pursue Trade for Outfielder Steven Kwan

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During the 2026-2027 offseason, the San Diego Padres may initiate trade discussions with the Cleveland Guardians for 29-year-old outfielder Steven Kwan. The Padres are seeking to solidify their left field position after utilizing 12 different players there in recent seasons.

Why it matters

The Padres face a persistent vacancy in left field and require a left-handed hitter to bolster their roster. Acquiring a defensive specialist like Kwan would provide stability to a position that saw Samad Taylor and Dustin Harris play during the 2026 playoffs.

Steven Kwan batted .282 with three home runs and 32 RBIs in 2026 while maintaining a .731 OPS. The four-time Gold Glove winner is currently under contract with Cleveland until his scheduled free agency after the 2027 season.

The players

Steven Kwan

He is a 29-year-old outfielder who has earned four Gold Glove awards during his professional career.

San Diego Padres

The major league baseball franchise based in San Diego is seeking to address long-standing roster vacancies.

Cleveland Guardians

The professional baseball organization based in Cleveland currently holds the contract for Steven Kwan.

Samad Taylor

He is a professional baseball player who saw playing time in left field for the Padres during the 2026 playoffs.

Dustin Harris

He is a professional baseball player who appeared in the left field position for the Padres during the 2026 playoffs.

The details

The Padres are exploring options to address their outfield depth, having rotated nearly a dozen players through the left field spot recently. Cleveland may be willing to listen to trade offers for the veteran outfielder before his contract expires following the 2027 season.

Steven Kwan played in 151 games during the 2026 season.
Potential trade talks are slated for the 2026-2027 offseason.
The Padres roster will undergo modifications for the 2027 season.
Steven Kwan is scheduled for free agency after the 2027 season.

Season Trajectory

The Padres are attempting to stabilize a left field rotation that saw 12 different players cycle through the position recently. Securing a veteran starter would shift the team from a platoon-based strategy to a more consistent defensive and offensive lineup for the 2027 season.

A trade would provide the Padres with a consistent Gold Glove-caliber defender, significantly reducing the defensive uncertainty seen in the 2026 playoffs. Fantasy managers should monitor whether Kwan retains his high-contact hitting profile if he moves to the expansive hitting environment of Petco Park.

The takeaway

The Padres are prioritizing defensive consistency in the outfield to build upon their recent playoff appearances. Integrating a veteran like Kwan could serve as a model for addressing volatile positions through high-caliber veteran acquisitions.