The Emmanuel Clase news was a gut punch for the Cleveland Guardians and their plans to compete for the rest of this season.
MLB is investigating the closer for his potential involvement in betting activity, and he has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave until at least Aug. 31.
Clase could have been traded for a huge haul prior to the deadline, according to multiple reports, but those plans are now a no-go for obvious reasons.
The fallout of Clase’s absence also includes the Guardians being open to trading some of their best assets.
“The Guardians are ‘trying to move’ both Steven Kwan and Shane Bieber, per source. Bieber made his fourth rehab start on Tuesday, striking out seven with no walks in four innings. He’s returning from April 2024 Tommy John surgery and has a $16M player option ($4M buyout) for 2026,” Mark Feinsand wrote on X.
The Guardians are “trying to move” both Steven Kwan and Shane Bieber, per source. Bieber made his fourth rehab start on Tuesday, striking out seven with no walks in four innings. He’s returning from April 2024 Tommy John surgery and has a $16M player option ($4M buyout) for 2026.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2025
Kwan, an outfielder, is a two-time All-Star (2024 and 2025), a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, and has a 114 wRC+ and a 2.7 fWAR this season.
Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner, is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and looked magnificent in his most recent outing in Double-A.
Don’t be surprised if both are traded in a package deal to a contender looking for outfield and pitching help.
NEXT: Kyle Manzardo Notches Impressive Career-High Streak
