The Cleveland Guardians are in desperate need of some momentum right now.
They need someone to step up at the plate and give Steven Kwan, Jose Ramirez and Carlos Santana a helping hand.
That might mean moving on from one of their veterans.
Joe Noga of Cleveland.com recently made a case for the Guardians to trade one of their outfielders, and given the current picture, Lane Thomas might be the odd man out.
That way, they could make room for star prospect Chase DeLauter.
“There’s basically a logjam in the outfield in terms of playing time for young prospects that they sort of need to get an eye on. A guy who could benefit from a Lane Thomas trade would be Chase DeLauter,” Noga said.
Thomas has struggled with injuries this season, dealing with plantar fasciitis before sustaining a wrist injury after a brief comeback.
He hasn’t done much at the plate when given a chance, and with an AL Wild Card spot seemingly slipping through their fingers, the Guardians need the veteran to take his game to the next level.
DeLauter was projected to make it to the majors at some point this season.
He’s been impressive in the minors, showing a combination of power, contact and discipline at the plate that could give Cleveland a massive offensive boost.
Unfortunately, he’s dealt with injuries of his own, which not only have delayed his call-up but also raised plenty of questions about his durability.
The Guardians are on the outside of the playoffs right now and can’t afford to rest on their laurels.
They need to do something before it’s too late.
NEXT: Insider Reveals Guardians' 'Biggest Problem' This Year
