Lane Thomas has gotten on track after a sluggish start to his MLB career. Currently, the Washington Nationals outfielder is a trade candidate ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. However, Thomas has two additional years under club control, and the Nationals reportedly have a high asking price.
Judging by the words of the Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, the club is not getting offers that match their desire. Therefore, the team is willing to hold on to Thomas a bit longer.
Rizzo noted to MLB insider Jim Bowden that Thomas ranks in the 95th percentile in running speed and arm strength. He added that Thomas played well defensively with improved angles, jumps, and going back on balls.
Washington would only trade Thomas if they get a position of need outside of the outfield.
Rizzo is a GM. There’s most likely truth to what he is saying. Yet, he’s also selling Thomas to other teams, possibly trying to justify the high asking price.
Thomas is having a career year, hitting .286/.333/.474. He leads the Nationals in batting average, home runs (16), and RBI (55). He’s also at the prime age of 27 years old. But with the two additional club control years, the Nats aren’t going to give him up for a bargain.
The Nationals acquired Thomas in a 2021 trade from the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Jon Lester.
Thomas had flashes in the past, but he’s been consistent at the plate and in the outfield this year. His best season has come at an ideal time for him.
The Nationals have loaded up with outfield prospects over the past two years. Dylan Crews and James Wood are both in Baseball America’s top 5 prospects.
The Nats selected Crews second overall in this year’s draft and acquired Wood from the San Diego Padres in the Juan Soto trade.
Washington also has another Soto trade outfielder in Robert Hassell, last year’s first-round pick Elijah Green, and International signee Cristhian Vaquero.
Thomas may not be in the Nats’ long-term plans, but he’s registering production that will ultimately get him moved elsewhere. That time may not be now unless a team jumps at the price the Nats seek.
