The Cleveland Guardians entered July facing uncertainty about their trade deadline approach, as a brutal slide had many expecting them to be sellers.
However, a recent hot streak has pushed the Guardians back into AL Wild Card contention.
Now, the front office must decide whether to buy or sell with the trade deadline approaching.
Their positioning has created questions about their key players, including closer Emmanuel Clase and outfielder Steven Kwan.
MLB Network insider Jon Morosi recently discussed the rumors surrounding both players.
“I think with position players, you can usually take it into the offseason. For that reason, I’m not going to say either trade is likely, I do think that Clase is likelier to be moved than Kwan. … If someone’s going to overwhelm them, they’ll listen, and I think that’s been the way that they’ve done business for a very, very long time,” Morosi said, via 92.3 The Fan.
"I'm not going to say either trade is likely, I do think that Clase is likelier to be moved than Kwan. If someone's going to overwhelm them, they'll listen"
🚨 @jonmorosi on @CLETalkingHeads on the #Guardians approach to the trade deadline ⚾
🔊 Listen: https://t.co/TGxrm0CHkd pic.twitter.com/3s8YqT8i5y
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) July 25, 2025
Clase has emerged as the more likely candidate to be traded, and his early-season struggles are now a distant memory. He remains under team control through 2028.
He has a 1.26 ERA over his past 35 appearances, and his high-velocity cutter and playoff experience make him attractive to contending teams seeking bullpen help.
Kwan presents a different situation as the Guardians reportedly view him as untouchable, as they do third baseman Jose Ramirez. His elite contact skills and Gold Glove defense make him a cornerstone piece.
Sources suggest Cleveland would rather continue to explore a contract extension with Kwan during the offseason, as his value to the organization extends beyond what most teams could offer in return.
Going forward, the Guardians can either capitalize on Clase’s rising market value or keep their core intact for a playoff push.
Either way, teams are monitoring the situation closely, and the next few days will reveal which direction Cleveland chooses.
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