Toronto Blue Jays could close in on blockbuster trade for Cleveland Guardians outfielder
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Victor William
Jan 20, 2026 (10:32)
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Photo credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays missed Kyle Tucker, and Steven Kwan trade talk is popping again.
A new trade offer states the Jays are being urged to pivot into a trade after striking out on Tucker and Bo Bichette.
The suggested target is Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan, a high-contact, high-glove type Toronto has chased before.
The Tucker part still matters because it frames the urgency. MLB.com reported Tucker agreed to a four-year, $240 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, so that «just sign a star» lane is basically closed for Toronto.
Kwan is the opposite of a splash, but he's a clean fit. In 2025, he hit .272 with 11 homers, 56 RBIs, 21 steals, and a .704 OPS, and those numbers show up the same way on MLB's player page and the stat leader tables.
After missing out on some big free agents, the Blue Jays are in need of at least one more bat to add to their lineup which is why https://www.bluejaysinsider.com/mlb-team/toronto-blue-jays/new-development-between-the-toronto-blue-jays-and-eugenio-suarez.
Steven Kwan trade fit for Toronto Blue Jays
I'll be honest as a fan, the idea of adding Kwan feels like «win the margins,» and that's usually how good October teams are built.
The framing is simple, Kwan starts every day, and the Jays stop sweating the roster crunch that comes with relying on a great story like Nathan Lukes for real lineup weight.
It also pairs beautifully with Daulton Varsho if Toronto wants to keep run prevention as a pillar.
«A trade for a player like Kwan would involve parting with someone like Lukes (in that trade, or a subsequent deal to free up a roster spot), but going after a player like Kwan would provide more than just an incremental upgrade in the outfield for the Blue Jays. That's a spot on the roster where they can easily raise the floor and make this lineup (and defense) that much more formidable in 2026.» -Ian Hunter
The selling point is defense plus contact, and the resume is legit. MLB's awards section lists Kwan as an AL All-Star in 2024 and 2025, and a Rawlings AL Gold Glove winner from 2022 through 2025.
Now comes the painful part, paying for it.
Kwan is 28 and still under club control through 2027, which is why any trade conversation starts with real prospects, not spare parts.
If Toronto actually pushes chips in, my take is they should do it for the right price, not because they're mad about losing Tucker.
The next step is whether Cleveland truly listens, and whether the Jays can stomach the cost without emptying the pipeline.
Also read on Toronto Baseball Insider :
New development between the Toronto Blue Jays and Eugenio Suarez
New development between the Toronto Blue Jays and Eugenio Suarez
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 20 | 334 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays could close in on blockbuster trade for Cleveland Guardians outfielder Should the Toronto Blue Jays pay a premium to trade for Steven Kwan after missing Kyle Tucker? | ||
| Trade for Steven Kwan | 138 | 41.3 % |
| Too pricey | 100 | 29.9 % |
| Need power bat | 48 | 14.4 % |
| Stand pat | 48 | 14.4 % |
| List of polls | ||