Lane Train Departs Nats

[Slateman]

https://x.com/byrobertmurray/status/1818057962621124903?s=46&t=bsTHbtMSqHXbNGi0vWP8hw

Sources: The Guardians and Nationals have a trade in place. Alex Clemmey, who was drafted in the second round in 2023, is going to the Nationals. Other names involved unclear.

https://x.com/jeffpassan/status/1818059174514721180?s=46&t=KpKo-quuv_Pogl5PIM3m8A

Jeff Passan
@JeffPassan
The Cleveland Guardians are finalizing a deal to acquire outfielder Lane Thomas from the Washington Nationals, sources tell ESPN. Left-handed pitching prospect Alex Clemney and two other prospects are headed back to Washington.

[imref]

Crews time?

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

This one hurts. Lane is awesome. I hope he does great in Cleveland.

[imref]

#8 on Cleveland’s prospect list

When Clemmey signed for $2.3 million last July, he broke fellow Bishop Henricken HS (Warwick, R.I.) alum Rocco Baldelli's Rhode Island bonus record. He boasted some of the best stuff in the 2023 high school class, so the Guardians were surprised to find him available toward the end of the second round. They're breaking him into pro ball slowly, and he probably won't make his pro debut until June in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Clemmey already works with a 92-96 mph fastball that tops out at 99, and its high spin rates create good carry when he commands it at the top of the strike zone. His curveball combines power and depth, giving him a second plus pitch though it lacks consistency. He has added an 83-86 mph slider since turning pro, and it already looks like it will become at least an average offering.

Clemmey still is working on gaining feel for a mid-80s changeup that features only modest sink. While his 6-foot-6 frame results in natural extension that lets his pitches get on hitters quicker than anticipated, he also has trouble keeping his long limbs in sync in his up-tempo delivery. He's going to need time to refine his repertoire and upgrade his control and command, but his upside as a potential frontline starter could make it worth the wait.

[varoadking]

Official...we'll miss ya, Lane...

[Section214]

Clemney looks like a terrific return + two more guys, that's a great haul. Lane was a great Nat and I will root for him forever. Keep adding arms to the farm!

[tomwvr]

I hope every fan stops Going to games . Lane is a younger player to build around . I hope the lerners rot for being awful owners.

[DCsOwn]

https://x.com/jimbowdengm/status/1818062505224073278?s=46&t=Q_qc3R_qyMHAAFvlywNqzQ

“Nationals get LHP Alex Clemmey, INF Jose Tena, SS Rafael Ramirez jr from #Guardians for OF Lane  Thomas. Huge win for #Nationals as sellers just like their Hunter Harvey deal with #Royals”

[IanRubbish]

Official...we'll miss ya, Lane...

We will, he's been one of the best Nats during the tank years.  It also shows the problem of a long tank where a player comes in as a piece for the future, and is traded three years later for a new piece for the future.

[imref]

Hate to see him go but need to make room for crews.

[IanRubbish]

Clemmey's got some crazy stats.  Averaging just 3.5 IP per start in low A, with 97 Ks and 47 walks in 69 innings.  He's 19 and clearly years away.

[Slateman]

https://x.com/jimbowdengm/status/1818062505224073278?s=46&t=Q_qc3R_qyMHAAFvlywNqzQ

“Nationals get LHP Alex Clemmey, INF Jose Tena, SS Rafael Ramirez jr from #Guardians for OF Lane  Thomas. Huge win for #Nationals as sellers just like their Hunter Harvey deal with #Royals”

Jose plays third and is raking.  Call him up.
.305/.368/.539 over his last 37 games

[Mattionals]

Clemney looks like a terrific return + two more guys, that's a great haul. Lane was a great Nat and I will root for him forever. Keep adding arms to the farm!

I like this deal more than Winker's. I think this lefty has some raw stuff but a higher ceiling given the scouting reports I've seen now. Add in two fliers and that is a hell of a deal for Jon Lester. Lane will always be the scrappy player who got overlooked and flourished well here in his role. Best of luck to him.

[GataNats]

Hate this.   Lane is a guy that is going to continue to get better, and on a great contract

[Mattionals]

Hate this.   Lane is a guy that is going to continue to get better, and on a great contract

Lane has one more year left on that contract. He wasn't staying here. The return for Lane was great.

[Senatorswin]

This guy Clemney at 6-6 can play with the rest of all these tall guys the Nats have now on the team that plays a scrimmage against the Wizards. My money is on the Nats players.

[tomwvr]

We will, he's been one of the best Nats during the tank years.  It also shows the problem of a long tank where a player comes in as a piece for the future, and is traded three years later for a new piece for the future.

and shows that this team will be in a 20 year tank.....

[tomwvr]

Lane has one more year left on that contract. He wasn't staying here. The return for Lane was great.

yep he wasn't staying because the learners wont pay

[Slateman]

7 WAR and three prospects for 2 months of Jon Lester. Mike Rizzo master class

[Count Walewski]

This Tena kid, he played 18 games in the majors last year and OPS'ed .584 and then played 3 games in the majors this year and went 0-4 with 2 K's. But he's tearing it up at AAA Columbus right now. He has nothing left to prove, bring him up and put him at 3B immediately for the rest of the season to see what he can do.

[IanRubbish]

and shows that this team will be in a 20 year tank.....

With Lane gone, only players under contract next year who could be on the active roster for more than $5m per would be Keibert and Finny.  CJ might also get that in arbitration.

[Senatorswin]

Lane has one more year left on that contract. He wasn't staying here. The return for Lane was great.

It sounds like the return is good so no complaints about the trade, but Lane makes 2.2 million this year. He'll get a raise next year but he's not the type of player the Nats shouldn't be able to keep if they wanted to when he becomes a free agent. And if the outfield of Crews, Wood, Young and hopefully one of the other outfield prospects doesn't work out they can try to resign him if he doesn't sign a contract prior to becoming a free agent.

[IanRubbish]

This Tena kid, he played 18 games in the majors last year and OPS'ed .584 and then played 3 games in the majors this year and went 0-4 with 2 K's. But he's tearing it up at AAA Columbus right now. He has nothing left to prove, bring him up and put him at 3B immediately for the rest of the season to see what he can do.

With the 3B backlog, it seems like someone might get moved to 1B, and prevent them from having to sign anyone there. 

[IanRubbish]

but Lane makes 2.2 million this year

He makes $5.5 million and will get even more next year in arbitration.  Keibert is the only hitter making more and he's got an untradeable contract.

[raleighnat]

Prospects are crap shoots - especially young pitchers.  But more darts at the board.  Seems like a great return.