The Cleveland Guardians have made significant steps to prepare for a possible long run in the Major League Baseball playoffs.
The team’s beginning pitching and offensive approach required improvement.
In separate moves, the Guardians strengthened their major league squad by acquiring pitcher Alex Cobb and outfielder Lane Thomas.
The Guardians front office provided a much-needed boost to the team.
According to this ancient spy, these exchanges offer the Guardians modest risk and huge profit. Poor pitching performances and serious injuries have caused major angst in the Guardians’ front office.
Cleveland starts Triston McKenzie and Logan T. Allen battled early and frequently.
Both were sent to Triple-A Columbus to rediscover their pitching mechanics.
Gavin Williams, a right-hander, damaged his pitching elbow during spring training. He was sidelined until his first start on July 3.
All Star ace Shane Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery after only two 2024 starts. After three seasons with the New York Mets, veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco, 37, returned to Cleveland’s rotation.
Carrasco has been uneven in his starts, failing to reach the fifth inning on several occasions.
The Guardians recently signed free agent veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd, who is returning from his own Tommy John surgery. He is currently on rehab assignments to prepare to enter the rotation. Even with Boyd in the fold, the Guardians front office went to work to try to bolster their thin starting rotation. At the trade deadline, the Guardians acquired veteran right-hander Alex Cobb from the San Francisco Giants. The Giants received left-handed prospect pitcher Jacob Bresnahan, and a player to be named later. Cobb is recovering from hip surgery, and has not pitched in 2024. He also suffered from right shoulder irritation. Cobb began rehabilitation assignments with the Giants, and will probably continue those with Cleveland before he returns to a big league mound.
About Alex Cobb:
Cobb, 36, stands 6-3 and weighs 205 pounds.
Cobb was selected in the fourth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was drafted from Vero Beach High School.
Cobb got a $400,000 signing bonus.
Cobb’s major league debut came on May 1, 2011, when he was 23.
Cobb spent portions of six seasons with the Rays before signed with the Baltimore Orioles as a free agent in March 2018.
The Orioles traded Cobb to the Los Angeles Angels in February 2021.
Cobb was allowed free agency in November and signed with the Giants.
Cobb was an All-Star with the Giants last season, posting a 7-7 record, 3.87 ERA, and 1.32
WHIP. He averaged 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings while walking 2.2. Last season, brooksbaseball.net reported Cobb throwing two- and four-seam fastballs at 94 mph. He also employed sliders, curves, and splits.
Cobb or Boyd appear to be the most likely candidates to take over Carrasco’s rotation spot, behind right-handers Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Ben Lively. Joey Cantillo, a left-handed rookie, is now the fifth starter.
While the Guards offensive started the season strong, they have hit a wall. They hit some speed bumps.
To boost their offense, the Guardians sold prospect pitcher Alex Clemmey and prospect infielders Rafael Ramirez Jr. and Jose Tena to the Washington Nationals on July 29 in exchange for outfielder Lane Thomas.
About Lane Thomas:
Thomas, 28, is 6-0 and weighs 195 pounds. He hits right-handed.
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Thomas from Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, in the fifth round in 2014.
Thomas received a $750,000 signing bonus from Toronto.
The Blue Jays traded Thomas to the St. Louis Cardinals in July 2021 for international signing bonus money.
The Cardinals traded Thomas to the Washington Nationals for pitcher Jon Lester at the 2021 trade deadline.
With a one-year contract worth $2.2 million, Thomas will have one more
He has one season of arbitration eligibility before becoming a free agent at the end of the 2025 season. This former scout saw a lot of Thomas while he competed in the 2018 Arizona Fall League.
Thomas was an intriguing prospect at the time due to his exceptional speed, strong hitting tool, and enough power.
His mix of power and speed, as well as his ability to play all three outfield positions, complements the Guardians’ on-field strategy.
Thomas can drive the ball all over the field, hitting the barrel of the bat with great pitch recognition and advanced plate discipline.
According to an old scout, if Thomas plays every day, he will easily hit 20 home runs. He can also steal twenty or more.
If Thomas is given the green light, the Guardians will most likely bat him behind Steven Kwan and ahead of Jose Ramirez, lengthening the lineup with solid contact hitters.
The speed of Kwan, Thomas, and Ramirez at the top of the Guardians lineup may cause havoc for the opponent.
Thomas has received mixed evaluations on his defensive performance.
This scout believes his speed and athleticism, as well as his strong and accurate arm, would be ideal for center or right.
Thomas adds an offensive boost to a Guardians team that can ride their new starting pitchers and newly improved offense to extremely positive 2024 postseason outcomes.
Overall, recent acquisitions are sure to invigorate Cleveland Guardians supporters.
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