What role the Cleveland Guardians figured to play in the MLB trade deadline this year potentially shifted on Monday with Emmanuel Clase being put on paid administrative leave due to an investigation into sports gambling.
Clase is on leave through Aug. 31 and technically is still eligible to be traded before the 3 p.m. PT headline on Thursday. Guardians starter Luis Ortiz previously was placed on leave as well as part of MLB’s investigation.
The league’s ruling with Clase may entice the Guardians to become sellers rather than pursue a Wild Card spot they currently are four games out of. Steven Kwan and Shane Bieber are prospective trade chips for Cleveland.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, there is significant interest in Kwan, with the Los Angeles Dodgers likely among the teams open to a trade:
He is drawing “a ton” of interest, according to a club source, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres believed to be among the teams in the mix.
While the Dodgers seemingly are focused on addressing their bullpen, multiple reports have indicated they also hold interest in acquiring an outfielder, and preferably one that bats left-handed. It’s presumed that’s connected to Michael Conforto’s struggles this season, though he has produced better results of late.
But Conforto’s small resurgence at the plate has been met by multiple misplays in left field over the last two games. The Dodgers’ outfield defense as a whole is an area that could certainly benefit from being improved.
How Steven Kwan can help Dodgers
Kwan is capable of playing all three outfield positions but has primarily spent 2025 in left field. The Guardians All-Star is batting .287/.351/.411 with 20 doubles, nine home runs and 37 RBI. Kwan also brings somewhat of a speed factor to the tune of 11 stolen bases in 13 attempts.
Kwan leads all outfielders with nine assists this season, but has also committed the most errors with five.
Beyond widespread interest in the 27-year-old, a Kwan trade may not be likely for the Dodgers given the Guardians’ asking price figures to be significant because of the team control associated with him. Kwan is under contract via salary arbitration through the 2027 season.
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