The Reds are in need of a quality bat, and they could get it by trading with the Guardians for this All-Star outfielder.
The Cincinnati Reds have been playing solid baseball recently, but there’s still room for improvement. With a 48–46 record, they currently sit just 3.0 games behind a National League Wild Card spot. As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Reds must quickly determine whether they’ll be buyers or sellers.
Right now, all signs point to Cincinnati being buyers. They’re within striking distance of the postseason—something they haven’t reached since the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, and not in a full season since 2013. With the trade deadline looming on July 31st, this is the time for the Reds to go all in.
One Move Could Tip the Scales: Trading for Steven Kwan
ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently linked outfielder Steven Kwan to the Reds as a potential trade target. He’s the type of hitter who could make a serious impact in Cincinnati’s lineup. The Reds’ rotation is holding strong, especially with Hunter Greene nearing a return from injury, so their most pressing need lies in offensive consistency.
Kwan has been excellent in 2024, posting a .292/.350/.408 slash line with six home runs, 29 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, and 39 runs in 88 games. He’s also walked more than he’s struck out—30 walks to 33 strikeouts—and provides steady defense in the outfield. As a left-handed hitter with strong plate discipline, Kwan could be exactly what the Reds need to stabilize the top of their order.
However, acquiring Kwan won’t come cheap. He remains under team control for two more seasons after this one, and as an All-Star, that significantly boosts his value. The Guardians won’t part with him unless they receive a substantial return.
What It Might Take to Land Kwan
To pry Kwan from Cleveland, the Reds would likely need to offer a sizable package. Nearly everyone in the farm system would need to be on the table. A hypothetical trade proposal could look like this:
Guardians Receive:
-
RHP Chase Petty (Reds No. 5 prospect)
-
SS Edwin Arroyo (Reds No. 7 prospect)
-
RHP Zach Maxwell (Reds No. 23 prospect)
Chase Petty, a highly regarded pitching prospect, made his big-league debut this season but has struggled so far—allowing 14 hits and walking eight in just six innings. While clearly not quite ready for the majors, his upside remains high. Given Cincinnati’s current rotation depth, parting with him wouldn’t be a major setback.
Edwin Arroyo is another notable name. Currently playing at Double-A, he’s hitting .278 with a .688 OPS. Though this isn’t his best offensive season, Arroyo still makes solid contact and has base-stealing ability. With other shortstop prospects in the pipeline and the position filled at the big-league level, Arroyo could be a moveable piece.
Zach Maxwell, a hard-throwing righty in Triple-A, is an intriguing bullpen option. Standing 6’6″ and throwing 103 mph, Maxwell could immediately factor into Cleveland’s bullpen—especially if the team moves on from closer Emmanuel Clase. Though he still needs to refine his command, Maxwell’s raw power could fill the void left by Clase.
Final Thoughts
The Reds have a real opportunity to break their playoff drought, and acquiring a player like Steven Kwan could provide the spark they need. While the cost would be steep, the potential payoff—both now and over the next couple of seasons—could make it well worth the gamble.
