Blue Jays should revisit old trade partner for last offseason upgrade

Toronto Blue Jays fans have been anticipating at least one more upgrade by the Blue Jays to cap off a solid offseason. However, quite a few of the top options in free agency were removed this past week after Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette and Cody Bellinger were signed to massive contracts. In doing so, that has left the Blue Jays with limited options remaining in the market.

As a result, perhaps the Blue Jays should revisit an old trade partner for their last offseason upgrade. That trade partner would be none other than the Cleveland Guardians, with outfielder Steven Kwan being the intended target.

Blue Jays should revisit old trade partner for last offseason upgrade

Recall last offseason, Toronto made their first big splash of the winter when they acquired Andrés Giménez and Nick Sandlin in a trade with the Guardians. Sandlin may have had his season (and eventually his tenure with the Blue Jays) cut short due to injury in 2025. But Giménez ultimately paid off down the stretch and during the MLB Playoffs for the Blue Jays by filling in for the injured Bichette at shortstop. With his stellar defense and timely hits at the plate, he helped Toronto reach all the World Series.

Therefore, the Blue Jays could work that similar magic again this winter, with Kwan being the prized candidate for Toronto to pursue. After all, the 28-year-old outfielder is a two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, bringing both effective hitting and stellar defense to his game.

With a lifetime .281 average and .741 OPS, Kwan could bring close to 100 runs scored, double-digit home runs, 50+ RBIs, 20+ stolen bases and a 1:1 walk-to-strikeout ratio per season over a full 162-game schedule pace. Those numbers would represent your typical productive leadoff hitter in a potent offensive lineup. 

Given George Springer is approaching the end of his contract with the Blue Jays this upcoming season, Kwan could be the ideal future replacement for Springer in the leadoff spot for Toronto. In addition, being a left-handed bat, the 28-year-old outfielder would help balance the Blue Jays lineup going forward. More importantly, having won Gold Gloves in every season that he has been in the league, he could team up with Daulton Varsho to form one of the best defensive outfields in the entire league.

Of course, one caveat of Kwan is the fact that power isn’t too much the name of his game, as he hasn’t recorded more than 14 home runs in any given season. But with the Blue Jays current style of “next man up” to keep the lineup rolling as opposed to relying on the long ball to win ballgames, Kwan’s abilities would fit in perfectly with the team’s concept as a result. 

One thing is for sure, Kwan won’t come cheap as apparently the Guardians once asked for a huge return when the Blue Jays inquired about him last year at the trade deadline. But with the right pieces that they can afford to deal, Toronto could get their last piece to round out their roster ahead of the 2026 season where they’ll be expected to battle for the World Series title once again.