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Guardians acquire Nationals OF Lane Thomas before trade deadline. Will he help Cleveland?

ryan lewis, akron beacon journal
·2 min read
April 16: Washington Nationals right fielder Lane Thomas slides to make a catch on a fly ball hit by Cleveland Guardians catcher Mike Zunino (not pictured) during the ninth inning. The National held on for a 7-6 win.
April 16: Washington Nationals right fielder Lane Thomas slides to make a catch on a fly ball hit by Cleveland Guardians catcher Mike Zunino (not pictured) during the ninth inning. The National held on for a 7-6 win.

The Guardians have acquired outfielder Lane Thomas from the Washington Nationals.

The Guardians are sending pitching prospect Alex Clemmey, ranked as the No. 8 prospect in Cleveland's system by MLB Pipeline, along with infield prospects Jose Tena and Rafael Ramirez Jr (No. 22).

The team has confirmed the deal. Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET is Major League Baseball's trade deadline.

Lane Thomas stats; Outfielder traded to Guardians for three prospects

Washington Nationals left fielder Lane Thomas (28) rounds the bases after hitting his third home run of the game in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 3, 2022, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. The Washington Nationals won, 8-5.
Washington Nationals left fielder Lane Thomas (28) rounds the bases after hitting his third home run of the game in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 3, 2022, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. The Washington Nationals won, 8-5.

Thomas, who turns 29 next month, fits what the Guardians need nearly perfectly as an outfielder who can move around (though he's most often played right field recently) and as a hitter who crushes left-handed pitching. Thomas is hitting .253 with a .738 OPS overall this season, but against lefties he's hitting .326 with a .410 on-base percentage and .922 OPS.

Another deal: Cleveland Guardians trade for Alex Cobb from San Francisco Giants

In 2023, Thomas hit 28 home runs with 36 doubles, 86 RBIs and 20 stolen bases along with a .268 average and .783 OPS.

He accrued 3.1 fWAR last season, and is at 1.0 fWAR in 2024.

Lane Thomas contract

Thomas, who is under club control through next season, also brings an element of speed, as he has stolen 28 bases in 77 games this year. He has a base salary of $5.45 million this year and will be eligible for arbitration for the 2025 season.

Thomas missed time earlier this season with a left knee sprain.

Guardians trade deadline needs

The Guardians' remaining top targets to possibly address before Tuesday's deadline are shortstop and starting pitcher.

What number will Lane Thomas wear with the Guardians?

Thomas will wear No. 8 once he joins the Cleveland roster.

Alex Clemmey, Jose Tena, Rafael Rodriguez Jr. headed to Nationals in Lane Thomas trade

Clemmey, who just turned 19 earlier this month, had a 4.67 ERA in A-Ball with Lynchburg.

Tena, 22, was another middle infield prospect as a position of surplus in the Guardians' minor league ranks. He had an .846 OPS with Triple-A Columbus this year, and in the majors he has hit .200 with a .520 OPS.

Ramirez, in A-Ball, has a career .151 average in the minor leagues.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Lane Thomas traded to Cleveland Guardians from Washington Nationals