Regrading the moves the Guardians made at 2025 trade deadline a year later

In less than a week, the dust will settle on this year’s trade deadline and countless armchair general managers (us included) will break out of the red ink to grade all the deals made. 

But a lot of the time, you can’t truly grade a deal until multiple years later due to the nature of prospect development, contract length and the overall grind of the baseball season. 

While we’re just a year removed from the 2025 trade deadline, we decided to take a look at the moves the Guardians made a year ago to see how things look now. 

The Guardians 2025 trade deadline hasn’t had a huge impact on this season

The Biebs (finally) left the building
Guardians trade RHP Shane Bieber to the Toronto Blue Jays for RHP Khal Stephen 

At this time, this trade seemed pretty straightforward. Bieber wasn’t going to come back to the Guardians in 2026 (even though he had a player option), so the Guardians decided to deal him for a pitcher who they felt could be a frontline ace in the future. 

It was about as cut and dry as a deadline deal can get. But a lot has happened since. 

Bieber ended up pitching well for the Blue Jays down the stretch last season and ended up picking up his $16 million player option for 2026. He started the season on the injured list but has pitched okay for the Blue Jays since coming back. He could be traded again at this year’s deadline. 

Meanwhile, not much has gone right for the Guardians on their side of the trade.

Stephen only made four starts at Double-A Akron last year due to shoulder impingement, and he made 12 starts at Double-A Akron this year before suffering an elbow injury that required UCL surgery. He won’t be back until late next season at the earliest. 

The Guardians did a good job getting Stephen as their return for Bieber, but his injury changes the short-term ramifications of the trade.

Stephen may still be an anchor in the Guardians’ rotation for years to come, but it’s likely not going to come until 2028. 

Even though Bieber nearly helped pitch the Blue Jays to a World Series win, the Guardians still have a great chance to win this deal in the long-term. It’s just going to take a bit of patience. 

2026 grade: B

See ya, Sewald
Guardians trade Paul Sewald to Detroit Tigers for cash considerations 

The only other move the Guardians made involved Sewald, who was about as disastrous of a signing as the Guardians have made in quite some time. 

He picked up a save on Opening Day for the Guardians but struggled during the rest of his time with the Guardians. He posted a 4.18 ERA in 18 appearances with Clevleand, but spent a lot of time on the injured list with a right shoulder strain. 

He was on the injured list with that shoulder strain when the Guardians decided to trade him to the Tigers at the deadline. He appeared in just four games with the Tigers before suffering a moderate teres major strain. 

He reunited with the Diamondbacks in the offseason and has racked up 24 saves, though he has a 4.58 ERA and has been a negative player by measure of both fWAR and bWAR. 

The return in this trade doesn’t matter as much as the fact the Guardians were able to get rid of him. Still, the mere fact the Guardians decided to sign him played into the grade here. 

2026 grade: D

Steven Kwan sticks around

Although Kwan didn't get traded, the Guardians' decision to hold onto him felt as significant as trading for a player.

At this time last year, Steven Kwan’s was in the center of seemingly every trade rumor. At certain points in the summer, it looked like he was going to be a lock to be traded. But then something funny happened: He wasn’t. 

Instead, the Guardians stuck to their guns (and asking price) and held onto him. They also held onto him in the offseason after he got paid $7.73 million via arbitration, which made it seem like he was due for a strong 2026. 

Well, the exact opposite happened. Kwan had such a bad start to the season that there were serious questions about if he was a non-tender candidate after the season. 

But he’s turned things around as of late and has a .906 OPS over his last 101 at-bats, and has been the Guardians fourth-most valuable hitter by measure of fWAR. 

The Guardians may never be able to trade Kwan for the kind of return that teams were willing to give them at last year’s deadline, but he’s beginning to make up for it with a strong second half. 

Plus, keeping him helped in the clubhouse and win the fanbase. While that technically doesn’t help you win games, good vibes help make everything better. 

Grade: B-

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