Braves add outfielder Lane Thomas and prospect Bailey Falter in trade with Royals
Atlanta received outfielder Lane Thomas and left-handed prospect Bailey Falter from Kansas City, sending two minor-league pitchers to the Royals.
The Atlanta Braves completed a four-player deal with the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, acquiring outfielder Lane Thomas and minor-league left-hander Bailey Falter. In return, the Braves sent two minor-league pitchers to Kansas City.
Thomas, 30, posted a .230/.325/.392 slash line in 96 games for the Royals this season, primarily in center field. He is expected to shift to left field in Atlanta and share time with Mike Yastrzemski, with a particular advantage against left-handed pitching.
"The plan is not the exact same role he had in Kansas City, where he was playing every day in center," Braves President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos said. "His strength is hitting left-handers. Great in the clubhouse, and just excited to add him and make our team stronger." Thomas recorded his best season in 2023 with Washington, hitting 28 home runs and driving in 86 runs. He will report to Atlanta on Tuesday ahead of a three-game series against Miami. Falter, who spent most of the year with Triple-A Omaha and logged 9⅔ innings for Kansas City, will report to the Braves' Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett.