As the Los Angeles Dodgers continue searching for ways to extend their championship window, one glaring organizational need has emerged: an injection of youth and athleticism into an aging lineup.

With the team’s average position-player age sitting at 30.7 years, the Dodgers entered the season as the oldest lineup in Major League Baseball, edging out even the veteran-heavy Philadelphia Phillies.

As Jeff Passan noted, “Seven of their starting position players are now heading into their age-31 season or older, and all but one of them—Max Muncy—are signed for multiple years.” In a lineup overflowing with stars but short on long-term youth, Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan represents one of the most logical and impactful trade targets the Dodgers could pursue. This is a prediction, not a report.

More MLB Content From TWSN:

Complete MLB Free Agency Predictions

Other Jorge Polanco Landing Spot

No, The Los Angeles Dodgers Aren’t Ruining Baseball

Steven Kwan Trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers

At just 27 years old, Kwan is everything the Dodgers need but currently lack: young, durable, elite defensively, and one of the best pure contact hitters in baseball. While the Dodgers remain flush with power bats—Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández, Max Muncy—the lineup has often struggled against elite pitching in October because of its swing-and-miss tendencies. Kwan would change that immediately.

Kwan has consistently ranked among MLB’s leaders in contact rate, strikeout avoidance, and on-base percentage, giving the Dodgers a stylistic dimension that balances their existing lineup. He doesn’t chase, he rarely whiffs, and he brings postseason-friendly offensive skills the Dodgers have lacked for years.

If they don’t go this route, it would make Cody Bellinger and Jarren Duran options as well.

Kwan Meets a Clear Defensive Need in LF/CF

The Dodgers’ current outfield picture remains unstable beyond Teoscar Hernández, who solidified right field with power and strong throwing ability. But Hernández is not a long-term youth piece; he’s entering his 30s, and Los Angeles still lacks a natural left fielder or a reliable second option in center field.

While promising prospect Andy Pages could grow into one of those spots long-term, the Dodgers cannot depend on Pages alone to stabilize the outfield. Kwan gives them elite defense in both left field and center field, bringing Gold Glove-caliber play and much-needed range on a team that has become too slow and too dependent on aging veterans.

The Dodgers tried patching the outfield last season with short-term veterans such as Michael Conforto, which turned out to be ineffective.

As Passan reported, “Signing Conforto to a one-year, $17 million deal last offseason didn’t pay dividends for the Dodgers, but… they are looking to do something similar this offseason with the hope that it yields better results.”

This approach might work temporarily, but it’s not sustainable for a franchise looking to build a multi-year contender around Betts, Ohtani, and Freeman. Kwan is young, affordable, and under team control for years, the exact opposite of another risky one-year rental.

Kwan Aligns with the Dodgers’ Long-Term Philosophy

The Dodgers have always excelled at blending superstar contracts with inexpensive, controllable talent—think Will Smith, Walker Buehler, Julio Urías, and Cody Bellinger during their rookie years. In the last few seasons, however, their lineup has drifted away from that model, becoming overwhelmingly veteran-heavy.

Kwan brings the balance back. His age, skill set, and contract fit perfectly into the Dodgers’ model of sustainable roster construction. He allows L.A. to retool without giving up their win-now trajectory.

The Perfect Fit With Hernández and Pages

With Hernández anchored in right and Pages developing into a full-time major-league bat, Kwan completes an outfield with range, upside, and durability. He gives Dave Roberts flexibility — Kwan can be a high-contact table setter at the bottom of the order.

He also makes the Dodgers significantly better defensively, a major weakness that has hurt them before.

The Dodgers Need Steven Kwan More Than Another Veteran Rental

Los Angeles cannot afford to get older, slower, or more one-dimensional. Kwan is the rare player who checks every box:

Young
High-contact bat
Elite defender
Under team control
Fits at positions of need
Complements existing stars

While other teams will aggressively pursue him, few need him more than the Dodgers. If they are serious about extending their championship window and correcting their lineup imbalance, trading for Steven Kwan is the smartest and most forward-thinking move they can make this offseason.