The Cleveland Guardians have one mission in the off-season: improve their rotation.
They have several avenues to accomplish that goal: player development of internal options, trade, or free agency.
Given the prices of starting pitching in the off-season, one would think the trade market will be a viable alternative for the Guardians to add talent.
A report from Thursday indicates that Cleveland has not one, but two regulars available for trade.
The idea is to fetch quality pitching in any transaction.
One of the names reportedly available for trade was somewhat expected.
The other one, however, is definitely a surprise.
“According to @Ken_Rosenthal, the Guardians are open to trade inquiries on both Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas,” Guardians of the Land posted on X.
According to @Ken_Rosenthal, the Guardians are open to trade inquiries on both Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas.
— Guardians of The Land (@OurCLEGuardians) December 5, 2024
Naylor, who hit 31 home runs and drove in 108 runs, has long been a trade candidate because he will be entering his final season of team control.
Cleveland has historically preferred to trade such players to get something in return before they reach free agency.
Seeing Thomas reportedly available for trade is somewhat shocking.
After coming over via trade himself before the deadline, he took a while to get going but once he did, he became a legit contributor who logged some key hits in the postseason.
In any case, being open to trade inquiries doesn’t necessarily mean both players will be flipped to other teams.
Perhaps the Guards just want to have a better idea of Thomas’ trade value.
Naylor, on the other hand, is more likely to be traded at this point given his contractual situation and the fact the Guards have a solid replacement in Kyle Manzardo.
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