The New York Yankees should make a number of main offseason strikes this winter. Common supervisor Brian Cashman is predicted to focus on a number of key gamers within the coming months. For the time being, there are a number of evident holes in New York’s roster. This consists of bullpen assist, catcher, third base, second base (assuming Jazz Chisholm departs), and heart discipline.
With all of this in thoughts, The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner has revealed a brand new piece detailing how the Yankees can get again to the World Sequence in 2027. Among the many proposed strikes was an fascinating deal involving Steven Kwan. The Cleveland Guardians have been linked with offloading the All-Star outfielder as he heads to his closing yr of arbitration. He’s projected to earn round $10 million subsequent season.
Cleveland has a latest historical past of buying and selling gamers earlier than they’re due for large pay raises (Andrés Giménez and Josh Naylor). If that’s the case, the New York Yankees are being urged to commerce for the Gold Glove-winning Kwan. Because the reporter factors out, New York had one of many worst center-field defenses in 2026. Trent Grisham was sometimes deployed within the position, however his $22 million deal is now expired.
For now, former quantity two prospect Spencer Jones is penciled in because the staff’s beginning heart fielder in 2027. This, nonetheless, is just not a perfect state of affairs. Whereas he’s a high quality energy hitter, Jones struggled within the place this season. In truth, the budding star posted a unfavorable defensive runs saved above common in heart discipline. Consequently, the 2 groups may work out a swap deal for the outfielders.
New York Yankees Would Obtain a Increase From Steven Kwan’s Offense and Protection
Whereas the New York Yankees can be a superb match for Kwan, the Guardians may definitely use Jones’ energy on the plate. Cleveland’s offense recorded simply 162 house runs and posted a mixed .380 slugging price in 2026. Each of those figures had been the fourth-worst numbers in baseball this season. Though Jones has limitations within the discipline, he did have a .429 slugging and .742 OPS in his MLB rookie marketing campaign.
Kwan, alternatively, can be a stable table-setter atop New York’s lineup. Not like the Guardians, the Yankees have loads of energy on their roster. Nonetheless, probably having the veteran Gold Glover hitting leadoff forward of Cody Bellinger, Aaron Choose, and Ben Rice would definitely be useful. Kwan’s .382 on-base price tied Mike Trout for seventh-best in your entire league in 2026.
Buying and selling away Jones so early in his profession can be a dangerous transfer by the New York Yankees. In any case, he did simply hit 35 house runs between AA and AAA in 2025. However, Cashman must steadiness out his lineup, and touchdown Kwan can be a stable offseason transfer.
New York Might Give Cleveland What it Desires
Though a swap deal may make sense for each groups, high Guardians exec Chris Antonetti has not too long ago poured chilly water on a commerce involving Kwan. In accordance with Cleveland.com, Antonetti proclaimed that he expects the star “to be an enormous a part of a contending staff subsequent yr.”
Regardless of this, the exec would virtually definitely nonetheless hearken to commerce presents, contemplating the star may go away without cost after 2027. The New York Yankees can have loads of competitors for the Gold Glover, however may have an higher hand within the state of affairs by dangling Jones.
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