The Guardians have landed outfielder Lane Thomas in a trade with the Nationals, both teams announced. A trio of prospects — left-hander Alex Clemmey and infielders Jose Tena and Rafael Ramirez — are going back to Washington.
It was almost exactly three years ago that Thomas was part of another prominent deadline trade, coming to Washington from the Cardinals in exchange for Jon Lester. The move to the Nats and more consistent playing time unlocked something in Thomas, who performed brilliantly over the remainder of the 2021 season and then settled into a regular role in the Nationals’ outfield over the last three years. This season, Thomas has hit .253/.331/.407 with eight homers and 28 steals (out of 40 attempts) over 341 plate appearances, despite missing about a month of action with a sprained MCL.
Thomas’ emergence in Washington was soon followed by more trade speculation, as it wasn’t clear whether or not the Nationals would view this newfound breakout player as a building block, or as a trade asset to aid in their rebuild. Today’s move answers that question, as the Nats have dealt Thomas (who turns 29 next month) in the second of his three arbitration-eligible seasons. Thomas is earning $5.45MM this season and will be in for a raise next year before hitting the free agency market in the 2025-26 offseason.
This extra year of control added to Thomas’ trade value, and ironically, the Guards themselves have traditionally looked to deal such increasingly-pricey players as they approach the end of their team control. With Cleveland in first place in the AL Central, the Guardians have instead looked to bolster their roster in major fashion, as Thomas can step right in as the team’s new regular right fielder. The left-handed hitting Will Brennan should still get a decent chunk of at-bats since Thomas has been much better against southpaws than against right-handed pitchers this season, but Thomas brings a needed right-handed bat to a Cleveland lineup perhaps a bit overloaded with lefty-swingers and switch-hitters.
The Guardians are opting for extra hitting over defense here, as Thomas’ public defensive metrics (-9 Defensive Runs Saved, -8.1 UZR/150, -7 Outs Above Average) have been very lacking. Cleveland has traditionally prioritized glovework in the outfield, yet while the lineup’s production has been better in 2024 than in recent seasons, Guards hitters have provided roughly average numbers league-wide. It seems quite possible the Guardians might still address their bigger need for rotation help before tomorrow’s deadline, but the Thomas trade is a key first step towards upgrading the roster for the stretch run.
From Washington’s perspective, the three-player package is a nice return for a season and two months’ worth of Thomas’ services. The Nationals have added one MLB-ready player in Tena who has already gotten some time in the Show, and two longer-term assets, including a noteworthy pitching prospect in Clemmey.
Cleveland’s second-round pick in the 2023 draft, Clemmey is just 11 days removed from his 19th birthday, and he has a 4.67 ERA over 69 1/3 innings at A-level Lynchburg this season. Clemmey has struck out batters at an impressive 32.6% rate, but his 15.8% walk rate is evidence of some control issues early in his pro career.
Baseball America ranked Clemmey seventh among Guardians prospects and MLB Pipeline had him eighth on their list, with both outlets wowed by his high-90s fastball. The fastball earned a 70 grade from both scouting reports and his curveball received a 60, giving him some impressive upside for rotation work if he can develop at least one more quality offering. While projections might be a bit difficult for such a young pitcher, Clemmey already looks like he could be a quality reliever, though obviously the Nationals will fully explore his potential as a starter.
Ramirez was ranked 20th in BA’s list of Guardians prospects and 22nd by MLB Pipeline. He is the son of former Braves/Astros infielder Rafael Ramirez Sr., and while the elder Ramirez spent most of his 13 Major League seasons at shortstop, the 19-year-old Ramirez might eventually end up as a third baseman or second baseman, as per the scouting reports. Ramirez is in his third year of pro ball and hasn’t hit much in A-ball this season after posting much bigger numbers in rookie ball in 2023.
Tena made his big league debut in the form of 18 games and 34 PA for Cleveland last season, and he has appeared in three games for the Guards in 2024. An international signing in 2017, Tena has spent his whole career in Cleveland’s farm system, and he has an eye-popping .308/.365/.522 slash line and 22 homers in 494 career PA at the Triple-A level.
Despite these big numbers, the 23-year-old Tena always seemed to be a bit of an odd man out amidst the Guards’ infield picture, especially with Jose Ramirez and Andres Gimenez locking down two positions. Tena’s big strikeout numbers probably didn’t play well within a Cleveland organization that prizes contact hitting, but he’ll now get another opportunity in the District. The Nationals have an infield cornerstone of their own in CJ Abrams and Luis Garcia Jr. has done well to re-establish himself as a regular second baseman, though Tena could potentially look to make an impact at third base or in a utility role.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (X link) was the first to report that Cleveland acquired Thomas, and FanSided’s Robert Murray (via X) reported that Clemmey was part of the trade package. ESPN’s Jeff Passan specified that the Nationals would be receiving three players in return for Thomas, and USA Today’s Bob Nightengale was the first to report on the inclusion of Tena and Ramirez.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Clemmey is a good get for the Nationals really like the move for them.
I’m glad you like it. I’ll take another bat
Clemmey could possibly be a back-end rotation piece
Not until at least 2026… We need back end rotation now… And another bat
I was talking to the other guy not fake stephen vogt.
Clemmey has a lot more potential than a back end rotation guy.
Nationals need pitching.
No. He is not. He has too many moving parts. Yes, he strikes people out and reaches 98 but his delivery needs major adjustments as he can’t repeat it and that’s something that going take a long time. Unless he makes some changes he will have control issues.
He’s very young he can fix those things. Lot of upside and potential. Sure he may never make it but I like the move for the Nationals.
I think the Washington got the better end of the deal. I’m not about Lane Thomas at all but we also can be honest what Clemmey is and is not and he is not a top of the rotation arm. I mean having to overhaul your delivery is not something many do and can do and become successful. I watched him pitch many times. It’s janky and needs lots of work.
I don’t think Lane Thomas is the answer either, but it’s a start.
No. He was the one guy I wanted them not to get. This is not
’23 Thomas. I think the nationals did well even though I don’t believe in Clemmey long-term.
“we also can be honest what Clemmey is and is not and he is not a top of the rotation arm.”
I’m not sure how you can so confidently assert this when the kid is 19 years old. He’s a big, flame-throwing lefty with 19 games of professional experience at single A. He could be anything. Maybe he develops and becomes a top-of-the-rotation arm. Maybe he never makes it above AA. But it’s a solid gamble for the Nats.
Clemmey is 6 6 and has a 70 grade fastball. He’s 19 and was drafted out of high school just last year. He has top of the rotation upside.
Exactly RCT. The Nationals need arms and upside and that’s what they got. BTW I think Travis Sykora was the steal of the 2023 draft. That guy has a ton of potential.
Have you seen him pitch? even 1 inning? I watched him a lot. His delivery is not sustainable and not repeatable. He would have to make major changes. If not, he is going to have major control issues. I mean even a back-end starter is not a failure; most don’t make it but he is not top rotation guy. He was 8th on our prospect list but he would have been farther down after the new post=draft rankings come out. No hate. Just honest. Most people who have scouted him have never said top of rotation except mlb.com and they always overrate prospects.
mlb.com has 70 grade and if you believe that you need to do more research. The way they rank if off and anyone who look at other rankings will say the same. Don’t trust mlb prospect rankings. Read scouting reports, and actually watch games He throws hard, so they rank him his fastball high. He will get strikeouts, but you also need to be able to know where it’s going. In the majors, fastball location still matters more than anything and he is not anywhere being close and after substantial adjustments. he might be a back of rotation guy or more likely, a guy who could be in the bullpen and you play up his fastball.
Shh the know it alls have spoken.
Location can be learned dude. He’s a 6 foot 6 teenager. No he’s nowhere close to a big leaguer right now. And that’s just fine.
“Have you seen him pitch? even 1 inning? I watched him a lot.”
No offense, but if you’re able to accurately predict how a 19 year old will work out just by watching him a few times (he has 61 innings total, so unless you watched him in high school or something, you have not ‘watched him a lot’), you should be working in an MLB front office and not arguing with a common fan like me.
You can hone your craft but when you have so many moving parts, the path is all that hard for you and he doesn’t do well in repeating. I mean their are exceptions. Yes (Lincecum) but even his was short-lived. I’m not knocking the dude but let’s be realistic and honest about it. I know everyone throws that out that windows when they acquire any player, even if he is trash (not saying anyone in this trade is) but It’s best to be sheltered in expectations. He is not “that guy” no matter how excited National fans are. They won the trade.. that should be enough. I mean best hope is Tena pans out and he could.
I wouldn’t get too excited about Clemmey just yet. He’s 18, in low A and needs to develop that third pitch to avoid being a lefty bullpen arm.
He is the #7 prospect according to BA and has top end starter (6’6″ LHP) written all over him.
I wish Tena had gotten a shot but he could be a future keystone player with some pop.
Don’t get mad cause someone knows baseball more than you do. That’s a really immature attitude to take. I mean, as humans, we should be able to accept knowledge from others who know more than us and not get mad. I see you must be a ESPN highlight fan? and no one is arguing so not sure what you are talking about. I i didn’t say you was dumb. I said you were uneducated on the subject which is clear from your responses. Nothing wrong with that. You don’t know until you learn. I don’t want to be in a mlb front office. I make good money at my job and being an educated fan is way more than i could ever want. Try it sometime.
He is 19 and how does he have top written all over him? cause he’s 6’6? because he was drafted 2nd round? He throws hard? he has very little control and his delivery is messed. I mean i guess I could say any top 25 prospect for any team has top of rotation stuff. You can say it but it doesn’t make it reality. He doesn’t have Daniel Espino upside; His fb is Grade 80 and better than Clemmeys. That’s a top of rotation potential. There are levels to this.
Dang it I was really hoping he could platoon with Brandon Marsh Austin Hays and Johan Rojas
He wouldn’t have gotten enough playing time in Philly before and especially after getting hays
Great. Just in time for him to continue to be a pita to the cubs in about 2 weeks.
That’s a solid return for Lane Thomas
Guardians going for it I would like to see them win the World Series Unless Texas turns it around. Nice trade Lane Thomas was 28 homers 20 SB last year.
We don’t need another .725 OPS player with below average defense…
Well, whatever the numbers say, Lane Thomas is at least an average outfielder. He rarely makes the spectacular play, but he makes all the routine plays and has a good arm. I am sorry to see him go.
Guardians fans asking for another bat, I present Luis Robert from the White Sox. Young, controllable bat with great defense in CF. He’s affordable even for the frugal Cleveland front office. You guys always have great prospects so I have no problem with Robert crushing the White Sox when they meet up for the next few seasons.
affordable? Luis Robert? that same roberts batting .210 for whitesox which is looking at 15/20/20m per year next 3 years unless Guardians trade away or take the club option for $2m
That is likely out of their range pricewise
note he has 42 hits compared to 81 K’s he has been really awful – doubtful WS will trade as they would be on the short stick of what value he used to have
If my math is correct Robert would be on pace for a 240 strikeout season if he played in all games this year, that’s over 15 more than the record
He also does dumb things on the field during gamers, and has his entire career. He was O’Neil Cruz before O’Neil Cruz was O’Neil Cruz.
All valid points gentlemen I won’t contest his numbers aren’t great at the moment. Getz really should have traded him in the offseason.
I’d say take a gander in the offseason, the numbers will improve I believe it.
Samuel,
I will have to push back a little here. If there’s anyone on the White Sox team that makes dumb base running mistakes or poor fielding mistakes, it’s Yoan Moncada. Which, I’ll be honest that is buyer beware even if he were having a good season, I wouldn’t recommend him at all.
Lane Thomas is a good player and will help the Indians…I mean guardians right now…good bat, good speed and solid glove.
Seems like a fair trade for both teams…Cleveland for the present and Washington for the future
.730 ops, negative 1.2 fielding and leads the league in caught stealing. Not sure what site you’re looking at.
“those other players are infielders Jose… Ramirez”
Steep return from CLE but I guess that’s the market in 2024!
The fact that the Guardians did anything is note worthy and the fact that it’s an actual productive player and not a cooked Noah Syndergaard or Ramon Laureano is even better
Ouch Rsox… Stop telling the truth. Those names give me nightmares
Nats are going to be good…again….in a couple years. Nats will be the next Orioles.
Not a glowing comparison at the moment.
But, I’m also not sure that’s true at the height of the intended compliment, either. I hope so, but the Nats’ development system has continued to disappoint.
I don’t love Thomas as more than a platoon bat but the Guardians needed another decent hitter and this helps so I’ll take it.
Clemmey could be a special pitcher down the line but his floor is as low as his ceiling is high so I’m willing to gamble on moving him, especially when they just added several highly regarded high school pitchers in the draft. Tena can play in the majors right now but needed moved because there were too many guys ahead of him, so I’m happy that he’ll get a real chance now. Ramirez is a wild card but he’s another good get for the Nationals.
Washington definitely won the trade without a doubt, but Clemmey is far from sure thing…. far. I think Tena could be interesting with playing time but it’s a 50-50 shot with him.
Obviously it’s too soon to tell who won the trade, but I definitely don’t think the Guardians got fleeced either. I don’t think Thomas necessarily puts their offense over the top, but he’s a solid player and he’ll help.
Tena’s power this year might be real but his plate discipline isn’t great and I don’t think he was ever an option to be their long term shortstop so it makes sense to give him a better chance elsewhere. I think he’s probably a utility guy but he’s also ready to play right now. Ramirez is pretty interesting but he’s probably closer to a throw in. It mostly depends on what Clemmey becomes, but there’s a wide range of outcomes there. He reminds me a little bit of when Hentges was in the rotation as a prospect, which could end up being a good thing or a bad thing.
I admit I’m not a fan of Lane at all. I like his stolen bases this year. I do like Clemmey even though some evaluation of him on here is outlandish but it’s MLBTR. It’s a casual chat fan base here and that’s okay. I mean we don’t come here to talk baseball with big time fans. I thought Tena did well for us. My 50-50 is a is he a major league roster player. If you’re versatile that helps and he is. I always think back to Willi Castro (different players) and how he carved out a job in MLB. I would not be shocked to see him do that or even flame out but I be interested if I was a Nationals fan.
I could see Clemmey in the bullpen.
I think there’s a scenario where Clemmey becomes the guy who got away, and I think there’s a scenario where he flames out with an ERA over 5 in AA. I think the most likely scenario is that he becomes a good reliever, but the stuff is nasty enough that there’s nothing wrong with that. But he’s young and walks too many guys, so he’s got some work to do but the upside is definitely there. I’m comfortable taking that risk though.
I don’t love Lane either, but I think he makes them better and I won’t really lose sleep over anyone they gave up for him. He’s probably best served as a lethal platoon bat but worst case scenario he’s a decent everyday player who can mash lefties and steal some bases. I don’t think this is a move that pushes them over the top or a move that restocks the Nationals’ farm system but I think it makes sense for everyone.
I really don’t see the infatuation with Lane Thomas’s base-stealing ability. When you’re thrown out 30% of the time, that’s not good, and basically says you’re 50-50 at best in situations where a stolen base is truly meaningful (i.e, pitchers and catchers have a heightened awareness in game situations that matter).
Hopefully, Thomas improves his base stealing under the tutelage of Sandy Alomar Jr.
If Tena was good, he would have replaced Rocchio at short. He is a literary ticket.
Who knew he was a great writer? Thanks for the detail!
Some people, instead of simply misusing “literally”, go a step further and misuse it AND misspell it.
Congratulations on flunking 5th grade.
(Again.)
Oops, lottery.
Another miss by the Reds. Amazing a guy can keep his job by being on the sidelines for two years in a row.
Not only that, but Cleveland is overall a much better ran organization. I can’t wait until we move on from Krall and Bell.
A far better run organization and they have similar resources (lack of, rather).
Bell will be the fall guy for the front office’s ineptitude first.
Unfortunately they won’t be shown the door at the same time.
Don’t think the Reds would have wanted to match that return for 1 & 1/3 years of Thomas at ~9M$ (2 this year and say 7 next). Doesn’t really matter, Reds need a better hitter than Thomas.
Clemmey is probably not pitching quite as well as CLE would have liked at this point (too many walks), but he’s just turned 19 facing batters 3 years older than him. Going a million over slot just 12 months ago to get him, that’s a good haul for Washington.
Lane will be missed in DC. That Lester trade ended up being such a pleasant surprise. More impactful than Keibert & Josiah, in my opinion.
I agree. He will always be popular in the DMV (District, Maryland and Virginia) but especially so if the robbery trade that brought him to us is bookended by a robbery trade on the way out. It doesn’t need to be lopsided. The Guards are free to go all the way with Lane a big contributor.
It’s funny how that seems to play out a lot of the time. The Dodgers trade their top prospects for guys like Scherzer, Turner, and Betts and they all relatively bust, at least in terms of what was expected. Then they give up some no name Yordan Alvarez for Josh Fields. Just goes to show the unpredictability of prospects and their development.
Amen, brother.
Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.
Clemmy is 18. Tena is one of 105 middle infielders they have a long with Ramirez. But they’re really young so a good trade on both ends. Thomas’ speed adds to what this team does
Well I just learned today that Rafael Ramirez Jr is a prospect now. I enjoyed watching his Dad play on the TBS Superstation back in the day.
Oh. Different Rafael Ramirez.
I forgot that the Nats picked up Thomas for a pretty washed Lester. That was a nice little get that looks like it could be paying off for years down the road.
Surprised Cleveland is the team to pull off this trade
Myles Straw is left for dead in AAA.
Should he… not be? Last I saw Myles Straw his bat was as useful against a ball as… a straw
If they could demote him to the Mongolian League, I’d root for that. He’s trash incarnate.
Tena is a he k of fielder, and adds some pop.
Cleveland was talking about promoting him.
Is he mainly a SS or what? Those power numbers coming from a SS would be kinda eye popping. Wonder why he isn’t ranked hire in the farm system…
He doesn’t walk much at all and this is the first time he’s really shown power. The Guardians love stockpiling young shortstops and I don’t think he was ever really an option to be a long term starter for them, but he’s ready to play right now and at least deserved the chance to be a major leaguer.
Some guys have a pretty high opinion of him (I think Keith Law ranked him close to the top of their system if I remember correctly), but he’s probably closer to a utility guy than a definite everyday player. The deal mostly comes down to what Clemmey becomes but I think Tena can help them.
He had 16 home runs in ’21 and 14 in ’22. That’s pretty good power from a 20-21 year old SS. Doesn’t walk much as you said, and doesn’t steal a ton either. Maybe a move to third is in his future.
He’s got a 25.2 K% vs. 7.4% BB% so there’s that.
Cleveland won this trade I’m surprised they didn’t have to give up a top 100 prospect for Thomas even with Thomas’s splits
Why on earth would CLE have to give up a top 100 prospect for 1 and a third seasons of a mediocre to poor defensive outfielder who can’t hit righties? Neither team got the upper hand, but Washington got a very good return for him.
Seems like one of those win/win scenarios, same as WSH’s trade of Winker.
Lane Thomas of the .7 WAR who can’t hit right-handed pitching come on, no Cleveland did not win this trade. I’m not a Guardians fan, but it must be frustrating when they finally decide to bring in a player, it’s somebody like this. Complete yawner; non difference maker.
When you’re plugging him in to replace -0.5 WAR Will Brennan – it’s a difference maker.
And Thomas was hurt for a full month. He’s also got a 25-game on base streak going, hitting .287 over that span.
Correct. Those of us who watched Thomas in DC know his value. He started slow this year, then got hurt. He is in a good groove now, and this stuff that he is a “poor defensive outfielder” is just nonsense. He makes all the regular plays, is heady and throws well. Nats have now divested themselves of their starting left- and right-fielders of Opening Day (Winker and Thomas). Things happen fast!
Tena is out of options after this year. He had no trade value and no fit on Cleveland future roster.
Ramirez is part of a cast of thousands of Cleveland MIFs, and has no room in Cleveland.
The trade is Clemmey and spare parts for 1.5 years of Thomas.
Thomas claim to fame is that he crushes lefties. Over the past two years, he ranks 12th in MLB versus LHP.
Tena might qualify for a 4th option year next season.
All that for half a season of Jon Lester!
Glad Professor Riz finally pulled the trigger.
I’m almost passed out when I saw the other player mentioned changing teams was Jose Ramirez
Nats have nothing at 3B.. If Tena can play there, he should have a job immediately.
I thought they got a 3B for Harvey?
They did. Cayden Wallace, and he looks like a legit competitor for the 3B job. That position is a desperate need.
I thought one of Nats top prospects is a third-baseman…House, right?
Brady House is a top 100 prospect in baseball and has been playing third, so… not exactly nothing in the system. If you are referencing at the big league level, perhaps, but all of a sudden the Nationals have significant third base depth with House and Wallace.
House is in AAA just turned 21
They also got Cayden Wallace from KC for Hunter Harvey who was good in AA this year
You’re sleeping on Carter Kieboom
Philadelphia local media says get another arm for the Phillies, but I was saying Lane Thomas. Platoon Marsh & Hays in CF with Rojas the 5th OF’er. They really should say F it and send Rojas, Abel, Christian McGowan & Taijuan Walker (to offset some salary and bc the Angels have no pitchers) for Mike Trout & Reid Detmers. Trout moves to RF in 2 years. Harper becomes the regular DH. Good pick up for the Guards, they are legit in the AL.
A++++ to the moon for Washington. Unreal return. Love the arm.
D for Cleveland. Thomas will certainly help. Wow was he expensive.
You may want to wait on evaluating the return for 3 years or so. Last year, Washington wouldn’t have made this trade.
Not really. Clemmey has a two pitch set with a wierd delivery. I’m not sure he will be more than a reliever or a backend starter at the ceiling. The other two are just spare parts. Cleveland needed another bat. I’m not a huge fan of this trade, but they didn’t get fleeced whatsoever.
Cleveland does such a good job using their young pitchers in the best way. Young players up and coming. I know they would like to get a starter but they won’t get involved in the high end names out there where their GMs are asking so much. Plus inflated salaries like Snell
Maybe not CLE but I wouldn’t be surprised if TB trades RP Fairbanks.
CLASE is “the man”, has he blown even 1 save this year?
No closer is perfect but this year he seems as close as you can get.
It would be fun IMHO for a smaller market or small salary team like CLE, MIL, PIT make the playoffs and go far.
Root for the Underdog kind of thing.
It would be interesting to see PIT get a hitter. I hope DET keeps Tarik.
Seems like an awful lot to give up for Thomas, but hey, I’ll trust in Cleveland’s front office. He better bring 10-15 HRs down the stretch or this is going to look fairly bad.