The Los Angeles Dodgers, along with three other teams, are reportedly expressing strong interest in acquiring a key player from the Cleveland Guardians as the MLB regular season enters its critical final stretch.

Shane Bieber has spent his entire big league career with the Cleveland Guardians. The two-time All-Star and 2020 American League Cy Young winner is coming off Tommy John surgery and has yet to pitch in 2025. Nevertheless, Jeff Passan of ESPN believes the Chicago Cubs could still try to acquire the 30-year-old starting pitcher.

Anxiety over a potential trade could be affecting the Guardians' first baseman, who manager Stephen Vogt believes is pressing at the plate.

Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase — a rumored MLB trade deadline target — has been placed on paid leave in connection with a sports-gambling investigation, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Monday. Clase is reportedly on leave through Aug. 31, per The Athletic's Zack Meisel.

Here's why the leadership of opposing teams have labelled the Guardians front office "the Cleveland Grind Machine."

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the middle of several trade rumors as the deadline approaches. Any trades involving players on the 40-man roster must be completed by 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31. MLB teams can still place or claim players off waivers,