According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Guardians were close to trading Steven Kwan to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline. They were so close that a general manager said, "Everyone in baseball thought (the Dodgers) were getting Kwan."

Cleveland Guardians star outfielder Steven Kwan expressed his appreciation for the city and fanbase when the three-time Gold Glove winner returned to the field on Friday. The MLB trade deadline on July 31 passed without Kwan being dealt, despite intense interest from multiple contending teams.

The asking price was too high for contenders who turned to other outfielders, keeping the Steven Kwan in Cleveland despite the team trading away Shane Bieber and Paul Sewald.