MLB Trade Rumors: Steven Kwan Lands with Astros in New Proposed Trade Offer

Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians outfielder, makes leaping catch

Steven Kwan still has three more years of team control, but after back-to-back All-Star seasons and four straight Gold Glove campaigns, he's getting pretty expensive, nevertheless, for the Cleveland Guardians. Kwan is expected to pull in an $8.5 million award in arbitration for 2026.

To that end, his name was featured on the rumor mill heading to the trade deadline this past summer, and it will continue to be featured there. The Guardians don't have the fattest wallet in the majors, and like to keep costs down.

The Houston Astros, meanwhile, are in desperate need of an impact outfielder after trading Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs last winter ahead of his free agency this offseason. Kwan would be a perfect fit for the 'Stros, and Bailey Bassett of ClutchPoints has offered this proposed deal that could make it happen:

Houston Astros receive:

Steven Kwan, OF

Cleveland Guardians receive:

Joseph Sullivan, OF (Astros' No. 6 prospect)
Anderson Brito, RHP (Astros' No. 7)
Jackson Nezuh, RHP (Astros' No. 14)

Kwan would add an elite defensive presence to the Houston outfield, and allow them to end their failed experiment of having Jose Altuve play left field. With a career .281 batting average and .351 on-base percentage, Kwan would bring some nice offensive skills back to a lineup that lost both Tucker and Alex Bregman last year.

Adding three of the Astros' Top 15 prospects, two of the Top 10, would be a nice boon to the Guardians' organization. It's the way Cleveland has operated for a long time — trading players before they get too expensive, and turning them into future, affordable, young talent.

Nezuh is a 23-year-old righty who made it up to Double-A this past year, and could get a chance at the major league level by the end of the 2026 campaign. Sullivan is a legitimate center fielder who plays with speed and energy, and has great bat-to-ball skills.

Certainly, Kwan's name will be out there on the trade market this winter, and this is one hypothetical move to keep an eye on.