Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase has landed in controversy, as he’s been placed on paid leave — though not as a disciplinary action — while MLB investigates alleged sports betting activity.
Clase becomes the second Guardians pitcher this month, alongside Luis Ortiz, to be sidelined amid the league’s gambling probe.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Clase’s situation may directly impact Cleveland’s trade deadline strategy.
The Guardians are reportedly now entertaining trade offers for outfielder Steven Kwan — a top-tier trade target who would be a perfect fit for the Cincinnati Reds.
Rumors about Kwan’s availability have circulated for weeks, with teams like the Padres, Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Phillies showing interest.
If the Reds haven’t already joined the mix, they should act quickly.
Clase’s leave may have opened the door for Cincinnati to pursue Kwan.
The 27-year-old left-handed hitter is a stellar fit for the Reds — a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder with excellent speed, elite contact skills, a low strikeout rate, and under team control through 2027.
Manager Terry Francona is also very familiar with Kwan from their shared time in Cleveland.
Though Kwan lacks power (.411 slugging percentage), he’s one of the most consistent contact hitters in baseball, boasting an 8.4% strikeout rate and a 9% whiff rate, along with top-tier numbers in expected batting average and plate discipline.
However, acquiring Kwan won’t be easy. He’s a rare combination of elite defense, offensive reliability, and long-term control — meaning the Guardians will demand a hefty return.
While some Reds fans resisted the idea of trading prospects like Cam Collier or Sal Stewart for Eugenio Suárez, landing Kwan could require that exact level of sacrifice.
