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By Jon Vankin
Contributing Sports Writer
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For a team that has now won back-to-back World Series — the first franchise to do so in 25 years — and finished atop the National League West in 12 of the last 13 years, and for that matter in 15 of the last 22, it may seem odd to talk about needing an upgrade. But for the Los Angeles Dodgers, one subject is unavoidable as they head into the offseason: outfield defense.
Dodgers outfielders ranked dead last in the major leagues this season with minus-27 defensive runs saved, according to Fangraphs statistics. Their 11 fielding (non-throwing) errors were tied for fifth-most in baseball, and the seven throwing errors by Los Angeles outfielders was tied for third-most.
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A new trade idea proposed by baseball analyst Garrett Kerman of ClutchPoints would go a long way toward addressing the Dodgers outfield's Achilles' heel. The deal would bring in an outfielder who has won a Gold Glove in every season of his four-year career so far, whose defensive wins above replacement this year ranked seventh among all American League outfielders, and whose 13 assists led all outfielders in the majors.
There is clearly no question that current Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan ranks among baseball's defensive elite, but at the plate, Kwan — who is eligible for arbitration for the first time in 2026 — has been at least credible, and in fact his OPS of .705 this year was better than either Kiké Hernandez (.621) or Michael Conforto (.637) who combined to play 160 games in the Dodgers' outfield, including 155 in left, Kwan's natural position.
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The Dodgers already made an attempt to pry Kwan out of Cleveland at the trade deadline, and USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale predicts they will target the 28-year-old again, but "the price tag will be high."
According to Kerman, that price tag would include two of the Dodgers' top three pitching prospects, both of whom are 27 years old, putting them at the upper limit for players still considered prospects, meaning that both No. 5 overall Dodger prospect River Ryan, and No. 7 Kyle Hurt would be considered major league ready.
In fact, both have already made brief appearances for the Dodgers. Ryan started four games in 2024, with an eye-opening 1.33 ERA in 20 1/3 innings. But his promising call-up was cut short by an elbow malady that required Tommy John surgery, causing Ryan to miss all of the 2025 campaign.
Hurt is in a similar situation, making one start and two relief appearances for the big league club in 2024, allowing only one earned run in 6 2/3 innings before also going down with Tommy John.
Both should be fully recovered and ready to resume their careers at the start on spring training, however.
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