Lane Thomas had a breakout season in 2023 when he hit .268 with 28 home runs and had 86 RBI. The Cleveland Guardians acquired him at the trade deadline in 2024 after his production dipped, but he was expected to play a big role for the Guardians in 2025.
Now, after missing so much time due to injury during the 2025 season, Thomas is expected to draw heavy free agency interest as he will likely only get a short contract, but he offers plenty of bargain upside for any team.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter named Thomas as among the best potential free agency bargains this offseason.
“Expected to be the team’s everyday center fielder in 2025, he instead played just 39 games and missed the entire second half of the season after undergoing surgery to address nagging plantar fasciitis. Now, Thomas profiles as one of the more intriguing reclamation projects on the market, likely to be available on a one-year deal,” Reuter wrote.
Thomas had some great moments with the team, but 2025 was disappointing in so many ways for him. Thomas admitted after the season how hard it was for him.
“Obviously, it’s been tough,” Thomas said. “I don’t want to downplay the year, because it’s been really hard. But at the same time, it’s a tough game. … You play long enough, I feel like you run into some bad luck.”
Thomas had 125 at-bats in 2025 and hit .160 with 4 home runs and 11 RBIs. It will be interesting to see where Thomas lands in the offseason and if he ever gets back to his 2023 form.
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