The Cleveland Guardians are willing to trade Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
"But it should surprise no one that Cleveland is open to trade offers for first baseman Josh Naylor and outfielder Lane Thomas, both of whom are entering their walk years," Rosenthal wrote on Thursday. "MLB Trade Rumors projects Naylor to earn $12 million in arbitration, Thomas $8.3 million."
Thomas was a postseason hero for the Guardians in 2024, while Naylor only missed 10 regular-season games.
While both players operated in key roles for a team that won 92 games and secured a spot in the American League Championship Series, their murky long-term future in Cleveland could result in the team moving them in exchange for players with more team control.
Thomas was acquired by the Guardians in a July 29 trade with the Washington Nationals, appearing in 53 games with the team through the end of the 2024 season. He hit seven home runs and 23 RBI to go along with a .209/.267/.390 slash line, but his production improved in the postseason.
During Cleveland's five-game victory over the Detroit Tigers in the AL Division Series, Thomas hit two homers and racked up nine RBI while posting a .947 OPS.
As for Naylor, he's coming off the first All-Star selection of his career. The 27-year-old has developed into an important piece of the Guardians' lineup and continued to improve in 2024.
His 31 home runs and 108 RBI both represented career-high marks last season, hitting .243 with a .776 OPS.
The Guardians have an important offseason in front of them and will need to decide between maintaining veteran contributors and prioritizing their future. Cleveland's choices regarding Thomas and Naylor could signify their desired path.
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