Tigers’ enemy could finally depart AL Central as Guardians’ Steven Kwan trade rumors resurface

“Good news” and “Detroit Tigers” haven’t appeared in the same sentence in what feels like an eternity, but there could soon be some coming out of Cleveland that will directly benefit AJ Hinch’s team.

Following the Guardians’ ALCS exit, FanSided's MLB insider Robert Murray believes that Steven Kwan could be on the move from Cleveland. Everything about that sentence is music to Tigers fans’ ears.

In case you’re unaware of the Kwan lore, he’s been one of the biggest Tiger killers over the past five years and he was a big reason the Guardians beat Detroit in the 2024 MLB Playoffs, hitting 11-for-21 in the ALDS. Not only did he bat over .500 in that series, but he had three different three-hit games and scored six runs.

Kwan came back down to earth in the 2025 MLB Playoffs as the Tigers won the Wild Card series 2-1. His career average against Detroit is just .237 with five RBI, but that 2024 postseason run he had with Cleveland put an end to the Tigers’ World Series hopes. The name “Steven Kwan” still sends shivers down some spines in Detroit.

Now it looks like he could be dealt, considering he’s facing his final year of arbitration this offseason. If the Guardians don’t want to pay him, they can ship him out for a nice return, and Murray senses that may be likely.

Nothing is locked in and the offseason hasn’t even started yet, but it’s something to keep an eye on, as Kwan could finally leave the AL Central and stop haunting the Tigers.

Kwan did just express excitement about Cleveland’s future, though, so anything could happen.

Steven Kwan’s 2024 postseason run vs. the Tigers still hurts

Thinking back to the Tigers’ surprise run in 2024, Kwan almost single-handedly put a bad taste in everyone’s mouths after Detroit blew a 2-1 lead in the ALDS.

Detroit jumped ahead to a 2-1 series lead with a huge 3-0 road win in Cleveland after a 7-0 loss in Game 1. They then shut the Guardians out in Game 3 once again. The momentum was fully on Detroit’s side. Reese Olson started Game 4 and gave up just one earned run before the bullpen decided to do what it does best: blow the game.

Olson left with a 3-2 lead and Kwan and the Guardians immediately pounced. He got the seventh inning going with a hit that led to a David Fry two-run home run. Kwan was the catalyst in the Game 4 win, going 3-for-5 with two big runs scored.

In an elimination Game 5, Kwan led off and was the first Guardian to get to Tarik Skubal after four scoreless innings on the road, notching a 1-0 lead. He got the Guardians’ offense rolling in the fifth inning with a hit and the go-ahead run on a Lane Thomas homer. He then scored again in the seventh to put the game out of reach and send the Tigers home before the ALCS.

Kwan will forever be remembered as the guy who eliminated the Tigers with three straight three-hit games in the ALDS, including getting the Skubal in an elimination game.

Detroit fans would love to see him leave the AL Central for good — preferably the American League altogether.

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