The Major League Baseball trade deadline is looming, and the Cleveland Guardians are staring at the opportunity to let go of some of their key players. Currently, they are at a considerable disadvantage, 9.5 games apart from the Detroit Tigers, a spot that might position them as potential sellers. If their performance doesn’t pick up in the latter part of June and July, they might start considering trading players – especially those nearing the ends of their contracts.
In the world of sport where predictions matter, a recent piece highlighted potential trade movements in all MLB teams. The possibility of the Cleveland Guardians becoming sellers wasn’t overlooked. The one player particularly singled out for a possible trade was Lane Thomas, part of the team’s outfield.
The article specifically pointed out soon-to-be free agents such as Carlos Santana and Lane Thomas as clear-cut trading prospects. While teams might get curious and inquire about the top-tier players of the Guardians, it’s the feasible options like Thomas that might actually see the light of day in trades.
Contrary to the common belief, the Cleveland Guardians are not expected to let go of their top performers. However, Thomas seems to be a highly likely candidate for being traded, given his impending free agency at the completion of the 2025 season. The team could feasibly make this decision without much fuss.
Thomas’s imminent free agency isn’t the only motivator for the Guardians to move on from him. As demonstrated in his output during the current season, his contribution to the team has been subpar. Notably, in 2025, he accumulated a negative 0.9 WAR over 74 at-bats.
Surveying the statistics, Thomas has managed only 12 hits throughout the 23 games that he’s been part of. Furthermore, his record shows only four runs, a solitary double and homerun, and a humble six RBIs. That’s certainly not an impressive performance for a player of his caliber.
There’s more to this underwhelming performance. Thomas’s batting average stands at a disappointing .162, while his OPS measures at .445, which is among the lowest in MLB for 2025. Such figures cast further doubt on his contribution to the team’s performance.
It’s interesting to note that the Cleveland Guardians acquired Thomas during the 2024 trade deadline. But unfortunately, his performance for the team during that season was underwhelming as well. His batting average then was a mere .209, and his OPS was a dismal .657. Overall, his 2024 season ended with a negative 0.2 WAR.
However, his 2024 postseason production hinted at some hope. Thomas posted a batting average of .222 but managed to maintain an encouraging .766 OPS in his debut postseason – the only one he’s featured in throughout his seven-year career.
But considering Thomas’s lackluster start to 2025, it’s clear that his brief moment of postseason shine in 2024 might not have been indicative of long-term performance growth. Keeping these considerations in mind, it might be an efficient decision for the Guardians to separate from the seasoned outfielder.
If the Guardians indeed decide to take on the role of sellers in the looming trade deadline, Thomas stands as one of the more probable trade pieces in their lineup. Given his track record, there’s a strong argument that the team could benefit from moving on from him.
Even if the Guardians don’t secure a high return for Thomas, another team might consider acquiring him. It could make sense for them to utilize his experience in the field, albeit in a lesser role such as a backup bench bat.
Seemingly, Thomas’s inconsistent performance and pending contract expiration make him an ideal trade candidate for the Guardians. While trading him might not result in a major incoming asset, it could pave the way for new talent to emerge on the team.
Ultimately, the Cleveland Guardians’ forthcoming decisions, centered around the MLB trade deadline, will be critical for their direction in the subsequent seasons. Whether or not Lane Thomas continues to don the Guardians’ jersey will have implications beyond just the 2025 season.
Thus, as the trade deadline draws near, all eyes will be on the Cleveland Guardians. The decisions they make, in particular regarding the potential release of players like Lane Thomas, could significantly influence the team’s future course.
The post Cleveland Guardians Contemplate Major Shake-Up Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline appeared first on Real News Now.
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