Steven Kwan to Dodgers? Bowden Suggests Hernandez Trade

Former Cincinnati Reds general manager Jim Bowden has suggested that the Los Angeles Dodgers should consider pursuing Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan as they evaluate their options in left field. Speaking on Sunday’s episode of the GM Territory podcast, Bowden argued that Kwan could be a better fit for the Dodgers than Teoscar Hernandez because of his ability to get on base, create scoring opportunities and provide stronger defensive value.

Bowden’s comments have also raised the possibility of a larger outfield reshuffle in Los Angeles. He discussed how the Dodgers could create opportunities for top prospect Josue De Paula while potentially trading Hernandez, with the Toronto Blue Jays emerging as a possible destination in the trade scenario he described.

Kwan, a four-time Gold Glove winner, is coming off a productive 2026 season in which he hit .282 with a .382 on-base percentage across 151 games. Meanwhile, Hernandez is entering the final guaranteed season of his three-year, $66 million contract after recording 16 home runs and a .759 OPS in 125 games.

Although Bowden believes the Dodgers and Blue Jays could find common ground in a potential Hernandez trade, no discussions between the clubs have been confirmed. Cleveland has also not indicated that it intends to move Kwan.

Jim Bowden Explains Why Steven Kwan Could Fit the Dodgers Better Than Teoscar Hernandez

Bowden believes Kwan’s offensive approach and defensive ability could address multiple needs for the Dodgers. Rather than relying primarily on power production, the Cleveland outfielder offers a different way to contribute by reaching base regularly and creating opportunities for the hitters around him.

Explaining his view on the GM Territory podcast, Bowden specifically compared Kwan’s overall value with Hernandez’s defensive performance in left field at Dodger Stadium.

“If I’m the Dodgers, I think he fits better than Teoscar Hernandez does, to be honest, because of getting on base and being able to create runs a different way, but also the defense in left field. That below-average defense that Teoscar has at Dodger Stadium really shows up,” Bowden said.

The former general manager also highlighted how Kwan’s presence could benefit the Dodgers’ pitching staff. His defensive contributions and ability to get on base could help the team in different areas rather than making him simply another power hitter in an already strong lineup.

“And, you know, the Dodgers have always been about their starting pitchers and their bullpen guys. Kwan makes the pitching better as well and creates traffic for the big boppers to hit. So that’s another place that would fit.”

Bowden’s argument focuses on the balance Kwan could bring to Los Angeles. The Dodgers would gain an outfielder capable of reaching base, creating scoring opportunities and providing defensive value in left field. Those qualities could complement the power hitters already in the lineup.

Steven Kwan’s 2026 Numbers and Contract Situation

Kwan, 29, enters the offseason with a strong record of defensive recognition and another productive offensive season. The four-time Gold Glove winner hit .282 with a .382 on-base percentage in 151 games during the 2026 campaign.

His ability to reach base is central to Bowden’s argument. A high on-base percentage can create additional opportunities for the hitters who follow in the batting order, allowing a team to build innings without depending entirely on home runs or extra-base hits.

Kwan is also approaching an important stage in his contract situation. He is entering his final arbitration year, with MLB Trade Rumors projecting his salary at $11.3 million. He can become a free agent after the 2027 season.

That timeline could make him an interesting name for teams considering their outfield needs. However, his contract situation does not necessarily mean Cleveland is prepared to trade him. The Guardians have not indicated that they intend to move the four-time Gold Glove winner.

Josue De Paula Could Give the Dodgers Another Left-Field Option

Bowden’s assessment of the Dodgers’ outfield situation also includes their farm system, particularly the development of Josue De Paula. The 21-year-old prospect has already shown encouraging signs at the major-league level, giving Los Angeles another potential option as it considers its future outfield configuration.

De Paula recorded 10 hits in 31 at-bats and drew 11 walks in 42 plate appearances following his September debut. He also earned two walks off the bench during the postseason, adding to the early evidence of his ability to compete against major-league pitching.

Bowden pointed out that left field could be De Paula’s best position apart from designated hitter. He also suggested that the Dodgers believe the prospect’s bat is close to being ready for regular major-league opportunities, although his defensive development remains an area for improvement.

“Their best outfield prospect, Josue De Paula, his best position besides DH, is going to be left field. And they tell me that he’s improved some. They want more improvement defensively, but they think the bat is ready to hit at the major league level,” Bowden said.

De Paula’s development could influence how the Dodgers approach their outfield decisions. If the organisation believes he is ready to contribute at the highest level, creating a regular opportunity for him could become part of its offseason planning.

That possibility is one reason Bowden believes Los Angeles could consider trading Hernandez rather than continuing with the same outfield arrangement. A potential deal would allow the Dodgers to evaluate a different defensive and offensive combination while giving De Paula a possible route to increased playing time.

Toronto Blue Jays Linked to a Potential Teoscar Hernandez Reunion

Bowden also discussed the possibility of Hernandez returning to the Toronto Blue Jays. The outfielder previously played for Toronto and became a fan favourite during his time with the franchise. According to Bowden, the Blue Jays could have interest in bringing him back, creating a potential trade scenario involving the Dodgers.

“So, possibly trading Hernandez makes sense. And the rumor that I keep hearing is that the Toronto Blue Jays have interest in reuniting with Teoscar Hernandez, who was a fan favorite when he was in Toronto.”

Hernandez, 34, is entering the final guaranteed season of his three-year, $66 million contract. He hit 16 home runs and posted a .759 OPS across 125 games in 2026.

Those numbers form part of the wider discussion about his future in Los Angeles. While Hernandez provides power in the lineup, Bowden believes the Dodgers could benefit from a different profile in left field, particularly when defensive performance and on-base production are considered.

A return to Toronto could also make sense from the Blue Jays’ perspective, according to Bowden. He pointed to the team’s outfield production during the 2026 season as a possible reason for pursuing a reunion with the former fan favourite.

“I think it fits because you look at the Blue Jays outfield. It was one of the worst outfields offensively in Major League Baseball last year. So, I do think Dodgers and Blue Jays do match up in the Teoscar Hernandez potential swap,” Bowden said.

Bowden’s proposed scenario would potentially give Toronto an established power hitter while allowing Los Angeles to explore a different combination in left field. However, it remains a trade possibility raised by the former general manager rather than a confirmed negotiation between the two organisations.

Could Steven Kwan and Josue De Paula Reshape the Dodgers’ Outfield?

The combination of Kwan’s potential availability and De Paula’s development creates several questions for the Dodgers as they assess their outfield options. Kwan would offer a different offensive profile from Hernandez, with his ability to reach base and create scoring opportunities forming the centre of Bowden’s argument.

De Paula, meanwhile, could become an important part of the team’s longer-term plans. His early major-league numbers have attracted attention, although Bowden’s comments indicate that the Dodgers still want to see defensive improvement before fully relying on him in the outfield.

Trading Hernandez could potentially open up playing time, but Los Angeles would need to consider how its outfield would be structured if a deal were completed. Pursuing Kwan would represent one possible solution, while giving De Paula opportunities could provide another route.

There are also important uncertainties surrounding the proposed moves. Cleveland has not signalled that it is willing to trade Kwan, and neither the Dodgers nor the Blue Jays has confirmed discussions about Hernandez. Bowden’s comments therefore offer an assessment of possible roster moves rather than evidence that a deal is close.

Dodgers’ Potential Outfield Moves Remain Uncertain

Bowden has presented the Dodgers with two connected ideas: pursuing Steven Kwan as a left-field option and exploring a possible trade involving Teoscar Hernandez. His reasoning centres on Kwan’s on-base ability and defence, while De Paula’s development could give Los Angeles additional flexibility.

A potential Hernandez reunion with Toronto could also address the Blue Jays’ outfield needs, according to Bowden. However, the proposed swap remains speculative, and no club has confirmed that trade talks are taking place.

For now, Kwan remains with Cleveland, Hernandez remains under contract with Los Angeles, and De Paula is a young prospect whose role could develop further. Whether the Dodgers pursue any of these options will depend on their offseason priorities and the decisions made by the organisations involved.