Michael Conforto making Dodgers' failed Steven Kwan pursuit feel worse by the day

As the hours ticked away leading up to the MLB trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers were in hot pursuit of Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently reported that a trade between the Guardians and Dodgers was close. Allegedly, one MLB GM said that "everyone in baseball thought [the Dodgers] were getting Kwan."

"The Dodgers were badly trying to acquire Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan, believing he would be the perfect fit to replace Michael Conforto in left field," reported Nightengale. "But after hours of negotiations, the Dodgers were left empty-handed."

Kwan, 27, is a two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove Award winner. His exceptional defense and baserunning, along with consistent above-average offensive production, have helped him produce 14.3 fWAR since the start of 2022.

Steven Kwan is consistent, and that’s exactly what the Los Angeles Dodgers need in the outfield right now.

After the deal didn’t work out, Los Angeles pivoted and acquired Alex Call from the Washington Nationals. Call is a fine addition, but he’s no Steven Kwan. He has also been slumping since the deadline and started 2-for-20 in a Dodgers uniform.

Even at his best, Call isn’t a player that should be in the lineup everyday. By pivoting away from Kwan, the Dodgers were making a commitment to give Michael Conforto more opportunities.

Every day that goes by, Conforto makes it hurt more that LA didn’t convert on a trade for Kwan.

Michael Conforto has only gotten worse since the trade deadline

Michael Conforto is 3-for-30 since the trading deadline passed. His OPS has dropped from .652 to .627 in that time, and his OPS+ for the season is now sitting at 76. That’s 24 percent below average.

2025 is just the second time in Conforto’s MLB career that his OPS + has been below 100. In five different seasons, it has been over 125. That’s the player the Dodgers hoped they’d be getting when they signed him to a one-year, $17 million contract in the offseason.

It’s been a frustrating month for Dodgers fans. Since July 4, the team is 12-20. They are now tied for for first place in the NL West with the Padres and are legitimately at risk of losing the division title.

The Dodgers have won the NL West in 11 of the last 12 seasons. First place is the new standard, and this year’s team is not living up to it.

It’s hard to think about watching another 42 games of Michael Conforto in left field for the Dodgers. Hopefully Alex Call can heat back up and give Dave Roberts a better option to turn to, but all of this could have been avoided had Los Angeles executed a trade for Steven Kwan at the deadline.

The Dodgers would probably still be in sole possession of first place had that happened.