As the Cleveland Guardians aim to improve their position in the American League playoff standings, they face the challenge of competing without star closer Emmanuel Clase, who is expected to be sidelined for at least a month. Reports indicate that the Guardians may pursue an aggressive approach in the lead-up to the trade deadline, with MLB.com's Mark Feinsand noting that the team is actively attempting to trade both Steven Kwan and Shane Bieber ahead of Thursday's 6 p.m. ET deadline. This development comes shortly after Clase was placed on paid leave through August 31 amid an ongoing investigation by Major League Baseball regarding sports betting.

In light of these circumstances, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic suggested that the decision to place Clase on leave could increase the likelihood of Kwan and Bieber being traded. ESPN's Jeff Passan, speaking on 850 ESPN's The Really Big Show in Cleveland, expressed confidence that Bieber is likely to be dealt before the trade deadline, while Kwan remains a viable trade candidate. Bieber, who has been recovering from Tommy John surgery since April 2, 2024, recently made his second rehabilitation start on Tuesday for Double-A Akron. The 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner recorded seven strikeouts and allowed one run over four innings, with his fastball reaching 94 mph. With a salary of $10 million this season and a player option worth $16 million for 2026, the direction of Bieber's career may hinge on his performance during the concluding months of the season, as a successful return could potentially lead to a lucrative multi-year contract.

Kwan has emerged as a frequent trade candidate due to his consistent performance; however, the Guardians' standings have complicated their strategic decisions. Following a stretch in which they lost four of five games from Thursday to Monday, the Guardians found themselves at 52-54. Although they secured a victory on Tuesday, their record stood at 53-54, placing them 3.5 games out of a playoff spot. Among American League teams, only the Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and Athletics have a poorer run differential than Cleveland's minus-34. Kwan, a two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, has had an impressive season, posting a batting line of .286/.351/.410 with nine home runs and 11 stolen bases in 101 games. His defensive excellence is also notable, as he has contributed 13 defensive runs saved in 863.2 innings, making him one of the top outfielders in MLB.