Kwan trying to tune out noise as Deadline rumor mill churns

CLEVELAND -- On an overcast Wednesday afternoon ahead of Cleveland's series finale with the Rockies, the future of Guardians star left fielder Steven Kwan also appeared somewhat cloudy ahead of Thursday's MLB Trade Deadline.

Kwan’s name has increasingly appeared in the rumor mill this week, leading up to Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET Deadline. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported on Wednesday that Cleveland is “trying to move” Kwan and Shane Bieber, who is nearing a return to the Majors in his comeback from April 2024 Tommy John surgery.

“I think it's the same advice we've been given when we first come up,” Kwan said pregame Wednesday at Progressive Field when asked about the rumblings. “You’ve gotta control the controllables, and all other stuff, kind of just let go.

“It's obviously hard to ignore the news, but just going back to it, I can't do anything about it. It will all take care of itself when it comes. But for now, it's just social media news. It doesn't mean much.”

Considering Kwan is under club control through 2027 and that he is a building-block piece in Cleveland, by no means do the Guardians have to trade him. The two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove Award-winner has long been a contract-extension candidate.

Considering Cleveland is an organization that always balances the present with its future outlook, moving Kwan, 27, is one avenue that at least exists for the Guardians to reshape their roster for 2026 and beyond.

Another avenue that previously existed was closer Emmanuel Clase, who was the Guardians’ top trade chip before he went on non-disciplinary paid leave on Monday amid an ongoing MLB investigation. That effectively eliminated any chance Clase would be traded.

Kwan, meanwhile, has been linked to the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Phillies and Padres this week.

“It's affirming,” Kwan said. “If you ever get traded for, it means somebody wants you. So to hear all these teams be attached is very flattering. It’s just crazy thinking that it could be a different change of scenery, even when I just think about it a little bit.”

Kwan is trying not to think about it much.

“We’ve still got a game we’ve got to play today. I think that's the biggest thing,” Kwan said. “Maybe if we were in a really bad spot in the division, I could focus on other things. But I feel like we’ve still got a chance at making a run. So I think that's going to be the No. 1 priority right now.”

Kwan said one of his representatives will be arriving in Cleveland on Thursday in the event something does go down before the Deadline. Otherwise, he is proceeding with business as usual. He told a small group of reporters on Wednesday that he gives the same answer to the media as those close to him regarding the rumblings.

“It’s a crazy time. I see it,” Kwan said. “I've never had this happen to me before, but I can't do anything about it. Pondering on it and thinking about it isn’t going to change anything.”

Kwan is a fan favorite, and he has been synonymous with the Guardians since he made his MLB debut on April 7, 2022. He has developed from a fifth-round Draft pick in 2018 to one of the purest hitters in the Majors, one of the sport’s top leadoff men and one of its best left fielders.

Those are all qualities of someone befitting a long-term building block, and Kwan maintained how much he likes Cleveland. Looking further down the road, he maintained his openness to a long-term extension.

“I would love to [stay in Cleveland]. I love it here, and I love everything about this place,” Kwan said. “They gave me the opportunity. I would love to.”

Kwan noted the Guardians typically hold those conversations with players during Spring Training and also acknowledged them happening midseason could be a distraction.

“Knowing how Cleveland works and all that kind of stuff, I think it would be outside of their realm, as well,” Kwan said. “So I don't want to waste their time with that. They have a certain way of doing things, and they've been successful with that.”

After Kwan finished talking to reporters in front of his locker on Wednesday, he grabbed a bat and other gear to go forth and conduct his pregame routine. He had a game to get ready for.

“It's like I always tell our guys: For 20 hours a day, it's a business,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “For four hours, you get to go be a 12-year-old kid and play. That's the time where you get to turn your brain off to the world, to everything going on in your personal life -- away from the field and on the field. Just go play and have fun. And Kwany embodies that better than most.”