Guardians Reportedly More Likely to Trade Steven Kwan, Bieber Amid Clase Investigation

Amid a betting investigation that put closer Emmanuel Clase on paid leave, the Cleveland Guardians reportedly could use two other players as leverage on the trade market ahead of the deadline.

Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, losing Clase "ended any chance of the Guardians becoming a buyer, and likely increased the possibility of the team trading right-hander Shane Bieber and perhaps left fielder Steven Kwan."

Before the investigation into Clase, he had drawn some interest on the trade market, though the Guardians reportedly weren't leaning towards dealing him.

Bieber has been recovering from Tommy John surgery since last April, but Rosenthal noted that he "is expected to be heavily scouted" during a rehab start in Double-A on Tuesday. The Athletic's Zack Meisel reported Sunday that the Guardians "have received calls" from teams about Bieber.

In his last healthy season in 2023, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner recorded a 3.80 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Bieber will earn $10 million this season and has a $16 million player option for the 2026 campaign.

According to Rosenthal, a club source said Kwan has drawn "a ton" of interest ahead of the deadline with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres all eyeing the left fielder. Rosenthal added that the Guardians "intend to set a high bar for their desired return" for Kwan.

Kwan, who is under club control through salary arbitration through 2027, has nine home runs and 37 RBI with a .285 batting average this season.

Cleveland will likely spend the next few days weighing offers and deciding whether it wants to commit to selling at the deadline. The Guardians are still in the mix for the postseason, sitting four games back in the wild-card race at 52-54, but might not have the roster to make a deep run.