Teams such as the Dodgers and Blue Jays have interest in Guardians star Steven Kwan ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

Arizona is still demanding a king's ransom for its star third baseman • The White Sox' pride is getting in the way of a Luis Robert Jr. trade • Shane Bieber m

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.

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."