'Going to miss these guys': Nats trade Thomas to Cleveland for prospects

PHOENIX – On the hectic 2021 Trade Deadline, the Nationals’ flurry of deals concluded with acquiring a young outfielder from the Cardinals in exchange for a veteran Jon Lester. At the time, Lane Thomas had only 84 games of Major League experience. He went on to become a starting outfielder, one of the Nationals’ most reliable players, an All-Star candidate and veteran leader on a developing team.

On Monday, as the team prepared for pregame warmups, the 28-year-old Thomas was traded to the Guardians in a similar scenario – only this time, he was the proven veteran.

TRADE DETAILS:
Guardians get: OF Lane Thomas
Nationals get: LHP Alex Clemmey, SS Rafael Ramirez Jr., INF José Tena

The Nationals acquired left-hander Alex Clemmey (the Guardians’ No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline), shortstop Rafael Ramirez Jr. (No. 22) and infielder José Tena for Thomas. Call went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks and his first Major League home run of the season in the Nationals’ 9-8 loss to the D-backs.

“It’s always a little bit of a shock, even when you know they’re looking to do something like that,” Thomas said from the dugout at Chase Field. “But I’ve been in this situation before, so I feel like that makes it a little bit easier. My wife’s dealt with it, too, so I feel like we’re ready to go help another team.”

Thomas clicked quickly with the Nationals outfield. He earned a starting job with the versatility to play all three positions and was tabbed at the top of the batting order. At the plate, he posted his best career numbers last season when he batted .268 with 28 home runs and 20 stolen bases. In 424 games with the Nats, Thomas slashed .257/.320/.439 with a .759 OPS, 412 hits, 238 runs, 60 homers and 60 stolen bases.

“He put the work in,” manager Dave Martinez said. “I challenged him a lot about how to play the game and how to play the game consistently. He’s been good, on the field, off the field. I don’t necessarily have any favorites, but he’s one of the guys that I count on to show up every day and do what he does.”

Thomas does not become a free agent until 2026. There was a chance he could have continued to be part of the Nationals’ reboot into next season, described by Martinez as “one of my quiet leaders out there.”

“I’ve always said that to you guys that it would be fun to see this thing through with a lot of these young guys,” Thomas said. “They’re going to be fine. I think the talent that you’ve seen from [No. 2 prospect] James [Wood] and CJ [Abrams] and MacKenzie [Gore] and all these guys that are still so young and have so much time to improve. It’ll be fun to watch. I’ll be rooting for them, for sure.”

After the trade was announced, Thomas met with his teammates in left field during pregame warmups to say goodbye. Hunter Harvey and Jesse Winker also have been traded this month.

“You’re going to miss the guys,” Thomas said. “We’re with each other for so long, you just make really good friendships with players and coaches. That’s the worst part about it, is moving on from the guys you played with for three years.”

Clemmey, 19, is 1-4 with a 4.67 ERA in 19 starts in Single-A this season. He has held opponents to a .214 batting average while recording 97 strikeouts (third in the Carolina League). The 6-foot-6, 205-pound Clemmey was selected by Cleveland in the second round of the 2023 Draft out of Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island.

The lefty-hitting Tena ranked first in the Guardians organization in hits, second in homers, third in RBIs and fourth in extra-base hits and batting average. He debuted on Aug. 5, 2023, with Cleveland. Tena has gone 7-for-35 in 21 big league games. He brings defensive versatility with experience at shortstop, second base and third base, winning a Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove in 2021.

The 19-year-old Ramirez is batting .187 with 10 doubles, one triple and four home runs in 54 games in Single-A this season. Last year, he ranked second in the Arizona Complex League in walks.