The Guardians are open to commerce affords on first baseman Josh Naylor and outfielder Lane Thomas, experiences Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. It’s unclear at this level which groups could also be concerned or if substantial affords have already been acquired.
The truth that the gamers are probably out there is no surprise. On the finish of October, simply because the offseason was getting going, MLBTR put each on our listing of potential commerce candidates for this winter. Like many lower-spending golf equipment, the Guardians are typically prepared to think about trades of gamers as they get dearer and their window of membership management shrinks. These two gamers are only one 12 months away from free company, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting Naylor for a $12MM wage and Thomas for $8.3MM.
These are completely acceptable costs for these gamers however contemplating trades at this juncture is how golf equipment just like the Guardians, Rays and Brewers function. By constantly buying and selling a 12 months or two of a strong however considerably costly participant for youthful, cheaper and extra controllable alternate options, the organizations keep frequently properly stocked with expertise. That enables the golf equipment to remain pretty constantly aggressive regardless of a scarcity of spending in free company. The Guards have gone down this path earlier than with gamers like Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco, Corey Kluber and others in earlier years.
Naylor, 28 in June, has been a constant spark within the Cleveland lineup for 3 years now. He doesn’t stroll a ton however avoids strikeouts and has popped a minimum of 17 house runs in every of the previous three campaigns, together with 31 in the latest season. He has a mixed .267/.330/.465 batting line over these three years for a 121 wRC+, indicating he was 21% higher than league common in that stretch.
Defensively, the metrics have been pretty sort to him general. With virtually 3,000 innings of first base work below his belt, he’s produced 10 Outs Above Common. His mark of -4 Defensive Runs Saved is clearly much less spectacular however that metric had him above common earlier than a -6 grade in 2024, which may be an odd outlier.
Placing the offense and protection collectively, plus just a few steals right here and there, Naylor has been value about two or three wins above substitute per 12 months in that stretch. For his wage, that ought to give him loads of attraction this offseason.
The free agent market options some big-name first basemen like Pete Alonso, Christian Walker and Paul Goldschmidt, however every of these will probably be pricey. Alonso and Walker are each lined up for good multi-year offers and every of them additionally rejected a qualifying provide, which means they’re tied to the forfeiture of draft picks and possibly worldwide bonus pool cash as properly. Goldschmidt didn’t get a QO and could also be restricted to a one-year deal due to his age, however there’s nonetheless loads of threat in such an funding since he struggled a bit in 2024. For golf equipment that don’t need to pay these varieties of costs or just miss out within the bidding there, they may give the Guardians a name.
Thomas, 29, possible has much less attraction on the commerce market. His projected wage is just a little decrease however his means to contribute can be a bit narrower as he’s a right-handed hitter who is healthier in opposition to lefties. For his profession, he has slashed .302/.366/.514 with the platoon benefit for a 140 wRC+, however .223/.290/.391 in opposition to righties for an 87 wRC+. Defensively, he can play all three outfield positions, with the metrics contemplating him round league common in heart.
The platoon splits recommend he can be greatest utilized in a part-time function, however the lack of heart subject choices in free company might work in his favor. Harrison Bader is the highest of the free agent class as a strong defender however with a subpar bat.
There’s threat in Cleveland subtracting bats, as their offense wasn’t their strongest asset in 2024. Their elite bullpen carried them to the postseason, with the group hitting a collective .238/.307/.395 for a 100 wRC+. It was even worse the 12 months earlier than, as they hit .250/.313/.381 in 2023 for a 91 wRC+ with the bottom house run tally within the majors. Eradicating Naylor or Thomas from the lineup can be a chance however the Guards would have fallback choices. Kyle Manzardo might take over for Naylor as an on a regular basis first baseman whereas gamers like Will Brennan, Tyler Freeman or Ángel Martínez might take over in heart.
Naturally, a commerce coming collectively would rely upon what different golf equipment are providing. For Thomas particularly, the Guards simply gave up a three-player bundle to get him from the Nationals on the deadline, surrendering Alex Clemmey, José Tena and Rafael Ramirez. Clemmey was simply drafted with a second-round decide in 2023 and given a $2.3MM bonus, in order that was a major sacrifice. They possible wouldn’t flip Thomas simply to get something in return.
The Guardians are reportedly wanting into the outfield market and will use some assist in the rotation as properly, so there could also be a little bit of musical chairs taking place right here. Maybe a commerce of Naylor and/or Thomas might be used so as to add some younger expertise to the system, with the associated fee financial savings redirected to changing a few of the misplaced manufacturing on the most important league roster. RosterResource initiatives the membership for a $98MM payroll in 2025, proper round the place they had been to start out 2024.
Groups just like the Royals, Reds, Phillies, Dodgers, Crimson Sox, Orioles and others are reportedly searching for outfield assist or make sense for a right-handed addition, whereas golf equipment just like the Pirates, Tigers, Astros, Nationals, Mariners, Yankees, Diamondbacks and others might be searching for assist at first base.
