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Guardians pitched to make same trade they made in 2024 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Guardians were in this same spot two years ago, seeking a righty-hitting outfielder before the MLB trade deadline.
They acquired Lane Thomas from the Washington Nationals then to try and fill that need.
Two years later, ESPN's Buster Olney is suggesting something similar -- well actually, basically identical. Olney wrote on Wednesday that the Guardians should trade for Thomas, who now plays for the Kansas City Royals.
"For a while, it looked like the Guardians' primary focus would be for a right-handed hitter, but with the offense floundering, they'll consider a full range of upgrades," Olney writes. "Someone like Lane Thomas of the Kansas City Royals might be a fit."
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Olney doesn't add any more to that blurb to suggest whether it'd be logical for Cleveland to bring Thomas back not long after losing him.
It'd certainly be a fascinating partnership, and the familiarity would probably be a good thing at least as far as adjusting to a mid-season move.
Thomas spent the remained of 2024 with the Guardians, then 2025 as well, but across 92 injury-plagued games, he batted just .189 in a Guardians uniform.
That led to his departure this offseason to join the Royals, and things have been better for Thomas.
In 93 games this season, Thomas is batting .230 with 16 doubles, 10 home runs and seven stolen bases.
His .724 OPS is nearly identical to his career average, but much higher than he put up in Cleveland.
There's no guarantee Thomas would be an upgrade for the Guardians, but he could at least get into the lineup against left-handed pitching.
Cleveland isn't known for huge splashes this time of year, but a Thomas-sized splash would feel very familiar.
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