The waiting is over. The caution is gone. And the Cincinnati Reds just made it loud and clear: they’re ready to win now.
In one of the most aggressive and defining moves the franchise has made in years, the Reds have completed a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Guardians to acquire outfielder Steven Kwan, one of Major League Baseball’s premier contact hitters and most respected defenders. It’s the kind of swing-for-the-fences deal that Cincinnati has long been hesitant to make—but not anymore.
With October dreams finally feeling real and within reach, President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall and his front office pushed their chips in. They sent a package that included highly touted prospects Chase Burns and Sal Stewart, betting big on the impact Kwan can make not just in 2025, but for seasons to come.
Kwan, a Gold Glove left fielder known for his elite plate discipline, speed, and ability to get on base, is under team control through 2027. He’s batting over .300 this season and leads the league in lowest strikeout rate—an ideal fit for a Reds lineup that craves consistency and contact to balance out its power core. With Elly De La Cruz electrifying fans nightly and TJ Friedl anchoring center field, the addition of Kwan transforms the outfield into one of the most dynamic in the National League.
“This move isn’t just about one year,” said Krall after the deal was finalized. “Steven Kwan is a player we believe fits our culture and elevates our lineup immediately. He’s a winning player, and we’re thrilled to have him in Cincinnati.”
The trade sent shockwaves through the league—not just because of Kwan’s value, but because the Reds, long seen as cautious and development-focused, finally made the kind of aggressive deadline decision reserved for true contenders. With a +23 run differential and a pitching staff led by All-Star Andrew Abbott, the Reds are now positioned to make a serious postseason push, whether they chase down the NL Central or lock in a Wild Card spot.
Analysts like ESPN’s Jeff Passan had floated Kwan as an ideal trade target for Cincinnati, but few expected the deal to actually get done. Cleveland, looking to retool for the future, saw an opportunity to extract major value in return—and the Reds didn’t blink.
What makes this move even more significant is the message it sends—not just to fans, but to the entire clubhouse. After years of rebuilding, retooling, and resetting, the Reds have declared that the time for patience is over. This team is not content with being “in the hunt.” They’re chasing glory, and they’re doing it with boldness.
For Reds fans, this is a moment to savor. It’s a signal that the franchise is finally ready to match the energy, talent, and hunger that’s been bubbling beneath the surface. And with Steven Kwan now in uniform, patrolling the grass at Great American Ball Park, the vision of a playoff run doesn’t just feel possible—it feels inevitable.
The Reds aren’t waiting for the future anymore.
They’re building it, one fearless move at a time.
