Lane Thomas Trade Grades: Braves Ace Necessity for Offseason Upgrade, Royals Fall Short
The Atlanta Braves have pulled off a crucial trade with the Kansas City Royals, acquiring outfielder Lane Thomas and left-handed pitcher Bailey Falter in exchange for minor-league pitchers Carter Holton and Lucas Braun. This deal comes as the trade deadline looms, with just under 48 hours remaining before the August 3 cut-off.
Lane Thomas, 30, has been a key contributor to the Braves’ offense this season, boasting an impressive OPS+ of 104. He has a proven track record of hitting left-handed pitching, with a career OPS of .850. Thomas has also demonstrated his versatility by playing all three outfield positions, making him a valuable asset to the Braves’ roster.
The Braves’ acquisition of Thomas addresses a pressing need for outfield depth, particularly with Ronald Acuña Jr. potentially taking on a more prominent role at designated hitter in an effort to keep him healthy for the stretch drive and postseason.
As for Falter, the 29-year-old has experience working out of the bullpen, and may fill a long-relief/swing role for the Braves. However, his 3.35 ERA in 43 minor-league innings suggests that he may not be an immediate impact player for the Braves.
The Braves’ decision to acquire Thomas and Falter comes as they attempt to maintain their healthy lead in the National League East and potentially put pressure on the Dodgers and Brewers ahead of them for a first-round bye in the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Royals are in last place in the American League Central with negligible postseason hopes. Trading Thomas was a no-brainer for the Royals, but attaching Falter and his $3.6 million salary to the deal may have lessened the return.
The Royals received Carter Holton, a 23-year-old pitcher with a 4.32 ERA in the low minors, and Lucas Braun, a 24-year-old prospect with a 3.53 ERA in 94 ⅓ innings split between Double-A and Triple-A. While Braun has been ranked as the No. 7 prospect in a thin Braves system, his strikeout rate of 20.8% leaves room for improvement.
Overall, the Braves’ acquisition of Lane Thomas and Bailey Falter is a savvy move that addresses a pressing need for outfield depth and potentially gives them an edge in the postseason. However, the Royals may have fallen short in maximizing the return for Thomas, a key contributor to their offense.
The trade is a reminder that the deadline is rapidly approaching, and teams are scrambling to make deals that will give them a competitive edge in the postseason.
Here’s a breakdown of the trade and what it means for both teams:
Atlanta Braves: A
The Braves’ acquisition of Lane Thomas and Bailey Falter is a crucial move that addresses a pressing need for outfield depth. Thomas is a solid all-around contributor, with a proven track record of hitting left-handed pitching and playing solid defense in the corners. He’s also a sneaky excellent baserunner, with an extra-base taken rate of 82% that’s exactly double the MLB average.
The Braves will presumably platoon Thomas with Mike Yastrzemski, then move Mauricio Dubón back to short full-time. Manager Walt Weiss will likely fill out his new lineup card along these lines:
- C Drake Baldwin, LHB
- RF Ronald Acuña Jr., RHB
- 1B Matt Olson, LHB
- CF Michael Harris II, LHB
- 2B Ozzie Albies, SHB
- LF Mike Yastrzemski, LHB and Lane Thomas, RHB
- DH Dominic Smith, LHB and Joey Bart, RHB
- 3B Austin Riley
- SS Mauricio Dubón, RHB
Kansas City Royals: C
The Royals’ decision to trade Lane Thomas and attach Bailey Falter and his $3.6 million salary to the deal may have lessened the return. While they received Carter Holton and Lucas Braun, the trade feels like a missed opportunity to maximize the return for Thomas, a key contributor to their offense.
The Royals may have prioritized shedding Falter’s salary over maximizing the return for Thomas, but the deal still falls short in terms of value. Braun and Holton are both prospects with potential, but they may not be the best return for a player like Thomas.
The trade is a reminder that the deadline is rapidly approaching, and teams are scrambling to make deals that will give them a competitive edge in the postseason.
Overall, the Braves’ acquisition of Lane Thomas and Bailey Falter is a savvy move that addresses a pressing need for outfield depth and potentially gives them an edge in the postseason. However, the Royals may have fallen short in maximizing the return for Thomas.
As the trade deadline approaches, teams are making deals that will give them a competitive edge in the postseason. The Braves’ acquisition of Lane Thomas and Bailey Falter is a crucial move that addresses a pressing need for outfield depth.
