The Cleveland Guardians’ trade acquisitions were limited to outfielder Lane Thomas and starting pitcher Alex Cobb.
Most fans considered they could and should have done much more, though.
However, after a few weeks of the deadline have passed, both players have overcome obstacles and are currently helping the Guardians maintain a 3.5-game difference in the AL Central.
Cobb overcame a fractured fingernail to dominate for six innings this weekend, and Thomas had a big game on Sunday.
He accumulated three hits and an RBI and continues to wake up offensively.
That represents fantastic news for Cleveland, as he is dominating over his last few games.
“Lane Thomas is batting .364 over his last 9 games,” former news anchor Ed Greenberger tweeted.
Lane Thomas is batting .364 over his last 9 games. #Guardians #ForTheLand @CleGuardians
— Ed Greenberger (@EdGreenberger) September 1, 2024
For the season as a whole, Thomas has a .236/.316/.366 line, eight home runs, 31 stolen bases and a .682 OPS.
That’s somewhat disappointing especially since he posted a .783 OPS, 28 homers and 20 round-trippers last year in Washington.
His Guardians stats are horrible, to put it nicely: .176/.260/.224 with a .484 OPS in 29 games.
This hot stretch, however, gives fans a reason to believe.
The best version of Thomas can post a .750-.780 OPS with 20-homer power and speed to steal about 30 bases over a full-season pace.
Right now, he is not near that version but he has given signs of breaking out in those last nine games.
If Cleveland can get Thomas going, they will be very dangerous and deep with the playoffs in mind.
It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible at all.
The upside is there for him to play like an All-Star.
NEXT: Guardians Star Celebrated MLB Debut Anniversary With His 250th Home Run
