Nationals Add Alex Clemmey, 2 Infield Prospects From Guardians For Lane Thomas

Image credit: Lane Thomas (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Sitting atop the AL Central Division standings, the Guardians made a move Monday evening to bolster their lineup for a postseason run.

Per multiple reports, Cleveland agreed to terms on a trade for Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas in exchange for lefthanded pitching prospect Alex Clemmey, SS Rafael Ramirez and SS/3B Jose Tena.

Clemmey, who turned 19 less than two weeks ago, was ranked as the Guardians’ No. 7 prospect in BA’s most recent Top 30 update, while Ramirez and Tena ranked 20th and 28th, respectively.

GUARDIANS RECEIVE

Lane Thomas, OF
Age: 28

Acquired by the Nationals from the Cardinals in a trade deadline deal in 2021 for lefthander Jon Lester, Thomas has been one of the best everyday regulars for the Nationals in recent seasons. He hit .268/.315/.468 with 28 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 2023, and while he hasn’t quite reached those heights in 2024, he’s still been productive slashing .253/.331/.407 with eight home runs and 28 stolen bases. Thomas has the ability to play all three outfield positions but has seen a majority of his time in right field this season for the Nationals. He’s a below-average defender but provides a righthanded bat that has slashed .326/.410/.512 against lefthanded pitching in 2024. This deals provides the Guardians an everyday righthanded-hitting outfielder in a lineup that is heavily lefthanded. Thomas has one final year of control in 2025 before he hits the free agent market in 2026.

NATIONALS RECEIVE

Alex Clemmey, LHP
Age: 19

The lefthanded Clemmey won Rhode Island Gatorade player of the year in 2023 before he was selected by the Guardians in the second round of the 2023 draft. He made his debut in 2024 with Cleveland’s Low-A affiliate Lynchburg, making 19 starts spanning 69.1 innings. Over that time, Clemmey has shown advanced stuff but limited feel for the zone and raw pitchability traits. Though he’s pitched to a 4.67 ERA, he has much better underlying ERA estimators with a 3.62 FIP and a 3.53 xFIP. Clemmey has struck out 97 batters to 47 walks, showing his excellent swing-and-miss stuff but also worrisome command. As far as stuff is concerned, Clemmey has it in spades. He mixes a 94-95 mph four-seam fastball that has touched 98 in 2024 with a gyro slider at 83-85 and a firm upper-80s changeup with some tumble and fade.

Rafael Ramirez, SS
Age: 19

The son of former All-Star shortstop Rafael Ramirez, Ramirez Jr. was a 2022 international signee out of the Dominican Republic (though, he was born in New Jersey). He enjoyed solid showings in the Dominican Summer League in 2022 and the Arizona Complex League in 2023, but he has struggled in his first taste of full season, hitting .187/.301/.319 with four home runs and seven stolen bases while striking out in 32.9% of his plate appearances. He has average tools across the board with the exception of his above-average throwing arm.

Jose Tena, SS/3B
Age: 19

Tena signed as a part of the talented 2017 international free agent class that netted the Guardians Brayan Rocchio and George Valera. He has shown flashes of big league potential and has enjoyed multiple stints with the Guardians’ major league club. Though limited to just 38 plate appearances over that time, he has shown limited ability to hit major league pitching. Tena has also shown the ability to be a productive offensive player in the upper minors, hitting .286/.356/.456 with 25 home runs and 30 stolen bases across Double-A and Triple-A the last two seasons. He’s an above-average runner and average defender with an above-average throwing arm.