Lane Thomas Landing Spots: 3 potential destinations for outfielder as Guardians look to move veteran batters
It looks as if Lane Thomas' tenure with the Cleveland Guardians could soon be coming to an end. After being acquired from the Washington Nationals at last year's trade deadline, his run with the club could be defined by a series of highs and lows.
Despite struggling mightily following the trade to Cleveland, Thomas came up clutch for the club in the postseason, hitting a pair of home runs, one of which was a grand slam in Game 5 of the ALDS. Even though he's still a productive player, the Guardians have made it known that they are willing to move on from some of their veteran batters.
It will be interesting to see what the trade market could be for Thomas given his combination of speed and power. Last season, the veteran outfielder posted a .237 batting average with 15 home runs, 63 RBIs and 32 stolen bases. An unrestricted free agent at the end of 2026, he could be a valuable rental for contenders heading into the 2025 season.
Here's a closer look at 3 potential landing spots for Lane Thomas if he is traded by Cleveland
#1, New York Yankees
The New York Yankees have found themselves linked to nearly every notable outfielder this offseason. After missing out on re-signing Juan Soto, as well as Kyle Tucker, the Bronx Bombers could look to a much more affordable backup option for 2025.
It's clear that Lane Thomas is not on the same level as either Juan Soto or Kyle Tucker. However, with his threatening presence on the basepaths, as well as his ability to crush home runs (28 in 2023) Thomas could likely be acquired for a relatively low price. He could be an ideal low-risk, high-reward target for the Yankees.
#2, Philadelphia Phillies
It has been an interesting offseason for the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite being linked to some of the biggest names, they have been unable to make a notable move outside of signing Jordan Romano. The Phillies have expressed interest in upgrading their outfield, and Lane Thomas could provide the club with some quality at-bats in 2025.
#3, Toronto Blue Jays
Another team that was heavily involved in the Juan Soto sweepstakes was the Toronto Blue Jays. After missing out on Soto, the Blue Jays have been relatively quiet aside from making a deal with Cleveland. The Jays landed Andres Gimenez earlier this offseason, and that could bode well for another deal between the two teams. The Jays need some help in the outfield, and Thomas could fit that bill.
The Blue Jays will need to determine what will happen with the futures of stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, so a rental could be the ideal move as opposed to a player with money committed to them long-term. Blue Jays fans have been anxiously awaiting a big move this offseason and even though Lane Thomas may not cause a riot, he could be a sneaky good addition going into 2025.