So, I’m taking a break from my usual free agent talks to dive into a what-if scenario: a trade that could bring Steven Kwan to the St. Louis Cardinals. I know some folks might say, ‘Yeah, right, that’ll never happen,’ and I get it. This is just for fun, like when you’re playing fantasy baseball and you make a deal that feels right. It’s all about thinking through what could work for both teams, even if it doesn’t pan out.
Lately, there’s been chatter about shoring up the center field and third base spots short-term. Scott Plaza touched on this, and I’ve thrown out ideas like JP Crawford as a cheap fix. But if we’re dreaming, Steven Kwan is a guy I’d love to have. For those not glued to the AL, Kwan isn’t a power hitter—think no home runs, but he makes up for it with a solid average and great OBP. Last year, he hit .282 with a .382 OBP, which in today’s game is pretty valuable. His defense is where he shines; he’s been a plus player in center field, which is exactly what the Cardinals need if Nathan Church doesn’t step up.
Now, why would Cleveland even consider trading him? Money talks. Kwan’s contract is creeping up to around $11-12 million next year, and the Guardians aren’t big spenders. Players with that kind of price tag on a low-budget team are often on the move. Valuing him, I’d say he’s a 3.5 WAR player, so his trade value sits around $23 million—that’s like a top 100 prospect. The Cardinals don’t want to give up future stars for a one-year rental, so what could work?
I’ve been thinking about Ivan Herrera. He’s a catcher with some pop, averaging 2 WAR over the last few years, and his value might match up. Cleveland could use a catcher, and Herrera has better offensive upside. But on paper, it might not be a straight swap. Another angle is an older reliever with team control, like Matt Festa. He’s been solid for Cleveland, and at 34, the Cardinals could get a bullpen boost without sacrificing much future value.
This is all speculative, of course. I’m curious what you think—would you be on board for a trade like this? It’s unlikely, but it’s fun to dream.
