So, I’m taking a break from my usual free agent chatter to toss out a trade idea. It’s all hypothetical, and I know some of you will jump in with ‘the Guardians would never do that’ or ‘the Cardinals won’t go for it.’ But hey, that’s part of the fun—thinking up scenarios that might just make sense for both sides. If the teams disagree, well, then it stays just a thought experiment.
There’s been a lot of buzz about shoring up the Cardinals’ center field and third base spots. I’ve thrown out low-cost options like JP Crawford, but if we’re dreaming bigger, Steven Kwan is a name that pops up. For those not glued to the AL, Kwan is a contact-first hitter with a high OBP—think .282 average and .382 OBP last season. He’s not going to smash home runs, but his lack of power might actually play well in Busch Stadium. Defensively, he’s a gem: last year, he was elite in center field and solid in left, making him a clear upgrade over someone like Nathan Church. He’s been a consistent three-win player, which is exactly what the Cardinals need.
Now, why would Cleveland even consider trading him? Money talks. Kwan’s contract is set to jump to around $11-12 million next year, and the Guardians are known for keeping a tight payroll. Players over $10 million with a year left are often on the market, so a good offer might catch their eye. Valuing Kwan, he’s probably worth a top-100 prospect equivalent—around $23 million in trade value based on his WAR and salary.
I know many of you would hate giving up a top prospect, and honestly, that wouldn’t be smart for the Cardinals right now. But what about Ivan Herrera? He’s a catcher with some pop and has shown he can be an average hitter. Cleveland might see value in him, especially with their catcher situation evolving. On paper, Herrera might not be a perfect return for Kwan, but he’s younger and has upside. If that feels like too much, how about an older arm like Matt Festa? He’s a reliever with three years of control, consistent performance, and could bolster the bullpen. He’s not flashy, but he fits the bill of being a low-cost, useful piece.
It’s all speculation, of course, and I get it—this trade probably won’t happen. But that’s what makes baseball hypotheticals so engaging. What do you think? Would you pull the trigger on this?
