How Diamondbacks roster crunch could help the Guardians fix long-standing problem

While the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland Guardians are on different sides of the country and only play each other once a year, they have a lot of shared recent history. 

In 2022, José Ramírez signed his contract extension with the Guardians in the cramped visiting manager’s office at Chase Field. 

After the 2024 season, the Guardians and Diamondbacks linked up for a franchise-altering trade for both sides when Cleveland sent Josh Naylor to Arizona in exchange for Slade Cecconi and a draft pick (to say nothing of the fact that former D-Back Paul Sewald had an unremarkable stint on the Guardians’ roster). 

That aforementioned trade between the two franchises was the rare trade that helped both sides: the Guardians got another strong arm for their pitching factory while the Diamondbacks added some much-needed power to their lineup in the form of Naylor. 

Could there be a chance that the two franchises link up again this offseason for another trade that could end up helping both franchises? 

The Guardians should try to see if they can wrangle Alek Thomas away from the Diamondbacks this offseason

The reason that Chris Antonetti will likely ring up Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen is a simple one: Arizona has too many outfielders. 

Earlier this week Arizona infielder prospect Jordan Lawlar made his season debut for Tigres del Licey in LIDOM in the outfield, marking the first time he’s appeared in the outfield in an affiliated game. 

Arizona wanting Lawler to work in the outfield makes sense considering the Diamondbacks have Ketel Marte entrenched at second base and MVP candidate Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop.

While Lawlar was one of the Diamondbacks’ top prospects from 2022, ‘23 and ‘24, he’s only appeared in 42 MLB games since the start of 2023 due to injuries and Arizona’s crowded infield. 

And if Lawlar truly is a part of the Diamondbacks’ long-term future in the outfield, the Diamondbacks will need to move on from someone in their outfield. 

Which is where the Guardians should strike and try to see if they can pry outfielder Alek Thomas away from Hazen and the Diamondbacks. 

Although Thomas hit just .249 in 143 games last season with the Diamondbacks, he still has a ton of potential and is only 25-years-old.

After making his MLB debut in 2022, Thomas burst onto the scene in 2023 when he hit .230 in 139 games before smashing four home runs in Arizona’s run toward the World Series.

The obvious red flag here is Thomas’ lack of production at the plate. Not only is he a career .234 hitter , but he finished last year in the 45th percentile or worse in barrel rate, exit velocity and hard-hit rate. 

Not exactly great numbers, but there’s a bit more to it than that. He’s ranked as high as the 94th percentile in sprint speed and the 92nd percentile in range, so he can be a quality outfielder, even if his numbers have dipped in recent seasons.

The Guardians have an obvious hole in center field and have a plethora of young talent in their farm system that they could dangle in trade talks to nab someone like Thomas. 

The Diamondbacks may not want to sell low on Thomas, but they also may not have a choice with Lawlar knocking on the door. 

Thomas may not solve all of the Guardians’ problems in the outfield, but acquiring him would be a good start.