CLEVELAND, Ohio — It was a business-as-usual trade deadline for the Guardians.
They did not trade outfielder Steven Kwan, but they did trade right-handers Shane Bieber and Paul Sewald, while claiming right-hander Carlos Hernandez on waivers from the Tigers before Thursday’s 6 p.m. deadline.
The deadline may have been busier if closer Emmanuel Clase hadn’t been ensnared in MLB’s gambling probe on Monday and put on paid leave. Several relievers, including closers Ryan Helsley, Mason Miller and Jhoan Dura, were traded in the last two days.
The Guardians, if they so desired, could have found a dance partner for Clase. He’s been the dominant closer in the American League for the last four years on a team-friendly contract. Now he could be banned for life.
“There are a lot of different considerations we had to weigh around this time of year,” said Chris Antonetti, Guardians president of baseball operations. “The unexpected developments recently (caused by the MLB gambling probe) were certainly one of them. In the end, we feel good about the roster we have for the balance of 2025 and are excited about the future.”
Guardians retain Gold Glove left fielder Steven Kwan.
There has been speculation for several weeks that Kwan, a Gold Glove left fielder and an All-Star, would be traded. With the Guardians playing .500 ball and Clase and fellow pitcher Luis Ortiz caught up in MLB’s gambling investigation, the season seemed to be coming to an early end.
When asked how close the Guardians came to dealing Kwan, Antonetti said, “What I can confirm about Steven is not only do we have a profound appreciation for Steven for what he’s able to contribute on the field and in the clubhouse, but so does the rest of baseball.”
Toronto, San Diego, the Mets and Dodgers were said to be interested in Kwan. After the Padres bowed out of the Kwan bidding, they acquired Ramon Laureano and Ryan O’Hearn from Baltimore.
It’s unclear if the Guardians will ever reach agreement on an extension with Kwan, but since he’s still in the organization the chances are much better than if he’d been traded on Thursday.
The Guardians traded Shane Bieber to Toronto on Thursday.Getty Images
The trade of Bieber was a surprise only because he’s been on the injured list since undergoing ligament transplant surgery on his right elbow in April 2024. On Tuesday, Bieber threw four innings in a rehab appearance for Double-A Akron. If he continues to progress, he should be taking his turn in Toronto’s AL-East leading rotation sometime in late August.
The Guardians received right-hander Khal Stephen for Bieber. He was Toronto’s second-round pick in 2024 and is currently dealing with a right shoulder impingement.
“There’s lots to like about Khal,” said Antonetti. “He’s a big physical starting pitcher with a good frame. He throws five different pitches and recently added a splitter that has added another element to his game.
“We think he’s a guy who can not only log innings at the major league level, but do so effectively.”
Stephen is rehabbing his shoulder injury at Cleveland’s spring training site in Goodyear, Arizona. When he’s healthy enough to pitch, he’ll join Class AA Akron.
Bieber was a homegrown Guardian. He was drafted in 2016, made his big-league debut in 2018 and won the Cy Young Award in 2020. When Corey Kluber was traded to Texas for Clase after the 2019 season, Bieber became Cleveland’s ace.
The Sewald trade was a surprise on two fronts. Not only was he injured when they traded him, but the prevailing thought was he was done for the season with a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder. Not to mention, the Guardians sent him to the AL Central-leading Tigers, who they trail by nine games.
When asked about his opinion on the Guardians reaching the postseason, Antonetti said, “We continue to believe in the group of players that are here. Not just at the major league level, but the players who we believe could help us from the upper levels of our minor league system.
“I hope we play our best baseball from here on out and make things interesting heading into September.”
The Guardians at 54-54 are 2 1/2 games out of the third and final wild card spot that is occupied by Seattle and Texas.
Hernandez, 28, has pitched for the Phillies and Tigers this year. He’s 1-0 with a 6.69 ERA (27 earned runs in 36 1/3 innings) over 36 appearances.
This is his sixth year in the big leagues with the Royals, Phillies and Tigers.
“He’s got a power arm with good stuff.” said Antonetti. “We’ll partner with Carlos to try and get a more consistent performance, but are some great ingredients there.”
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