The Cincinnati Reds have already made noise ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. From adding dependable starter Zack Littell to pulling off a shocking division trade for Gold Glove third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, the front office has shown it’s serious. But if President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall wants to push all his chips in and make this roster postseason-ready, there’s one final move that could tie it all together: trading for Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan.
Hayes upgrades the infield defense. Littell adds needed depth to the rotation. But the lineup still lacks a true table-setter — and that’s where Kwan fits perfectly. With elite contact skills, remarkable discipline at the plate, and top-tier defense in left field, Kwan might not bring highlight-reel home runs, but he could be the most valuable all-around position player still available.
Cincinnati’s offense has been hot and cold all season. Talented, yes — with rising stars like Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer — but prone to strikeouts and long dry spells. Kwan is the antidote: calm, consistent, and disruptive in all the right ways. This year, he’s hitting .286 with a .351 OBP, adding nine homers, 11 steals, and — incredibly — more walks than strikeouts since 2024 began. That rare combo of patience and contact makes him a nightmare for opposing pitchers.
Defensively, he’s just as valuable. Kwan is once again among the league leaders in Defensive Runs Saved (+13), and he’s won Gold Gloves in each of his first three seasons. Pair him with Hayes, and the Reds suddenly have one of the most lockdown defensive units in baseball — a huge boost for a young pitching staff featuring Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and now Littell.
Left field has been a weak spot for Cincinnati. Will Benson has struggled at the plate, Jake Fraley’s been in and out with injuries, and TJ Friedl has bounced around. Kwan would bring clarity and consistency to the position — and in a hitter-friendly park like Great American Ball Park, there’s real potential for his offensive numbers to tick up even more.
The fit is also practical. With Hayes now entrenched at third and Noelvi Marte likely moving to the outfield, the Reds have the depth to make a Kwan deal happen — particularly with an abundance of young infield talent and bullpen arms.
In just a few days, the Reds have reshaped their roster. Littell brings stability. Hayes adds defensive brilliance. But Steven Kwan? He could be the missing spark — the player who connects the dots between raw talent and October baseball.
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