Cleveland, Ohio Offers for Gold Glove left fielder Steven Kwan are being considered by the Guardians.
They should receive the substantial return they are requesting. Kwan is a good leadoff hitter, a three-time Gold Glove winner, and a two-time All-Star.
He is 27 years old and has two years left on his $4.175 million contract, which gives him club ownership. After getting a cortisone shot in his wrist during the All-Star Game, he has exhibited improvement in his right wrist, which had been hurting since late May.
According to league insiders, MLB’s announcement on Monday that closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on paid vacation and removed from the roster due to his potential involvement in baseball gambling significantly altered the Guardians’ deadline preparations.
Cleveland might have used Clase as a trade chip. Would they think of transferring Kwan now that he was gone?
According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, Kwan is attracting interest from the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Phillies, and Padres.
He won’t go cheaply if the Guardians deal him by the deadline on Thursday at 6 p.m.
In Tuesday’s 10–4 victory over the Rockies, Kwan went 1 for 4 with an RBI. He is striking.286 (114 for 392) with 38 RBI and nine home runs. With a.761 OPS (onbase percentage plus slugging percentage), he has scored 52 runs.
Although they haven’t been able to sign him to an extension, the Guardians still have time to try. Alternatively, they might hold off on trading him until the summer.
The team has come under fire for failing to produce regular outfielders. The exception to that rule is Kwan, who was selected in the fifth round in the 2018 Oregon State draft.
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It would be clear that the Guardians were giving up on the season and looking ahead to 2026 if they traded him.
Rehab start for Shane Bieber
Class AA Akron’s Shane Bieber made a rehab start Tuesday afternoon, giving up one run on three hits in four innings.
He gave up a home run, didn’t walk a hitter, and struck out seven Erie SeaWolves. Bieber threw 58 pitches, including 37 (66%) strikes, while attempting to recover from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
According to manager Stephen Vogt, Bieber’s reports were positive.
Vogt stated, “Shane came out of his start fine.” It was a good line. It was a good velo. To find out his next course of action, we’ll simply need to keep an eye on his condition on Wednesday.
Bieber was followed by Trevor Stephan, who pitched a scoreless inning for Akron while recuperating from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
According to Vogt, Trevor felt well today as well. His velo trended upward today. He reached his peak speed of 93 mph. It’s encouraging for Trevor.
Bieber is also attracting trade attention. One of the teams reportedly interested is the Yankees.
How much can Bieber pitch this season is the question.
He might continue the trend that left-hander Matthew Boyd established the previous season. Boyd completed his recovery from Tommy John surgery, signed with the Guardians at the end of June, and made eight starts in the final stretch and three more in the postseason for Cleveland.
After the previous season, Bieber was a free agent, but he signed a new contract with Cleveland. He agreed to a $26 million, two-year contract. A $16 million players option with a $4 million buyout is included for 2026.
Bieber will depart Cleveland with $14 million if he chooses not to activate the option and becomes a free agency.
According to a previous version of this story, Bieber’s $16 million 2026 option was a club option. The choice is up to the player.
