The Kansas City Royals are obviously set to be sellers ahead of this year's trade deadline, as the franchise is double-digit games below .500 and has zero hopes of meaningful contention. Among the potential trade chips for the Royals is outfielder Lane Thomas. The 30-year-old veteran is on a one-year deal that makes it clear there is zero reason to hold onto an aging player who doesn't fit the Royals' timeline of expected contention.
The outfielder is hitting .230, has offered double-digit home runs and an impressive .727 OPS, making it clear that any playoff contender could see the value in adding the depth that Thomas brings as a right-handed option.
This leads us to the Atlanta Braves as the perfect landing spot for Thomas. The veteran outfielder is a familiar piece to the Braves, having spent time in the National League East with the Washington Nationals. Atlanta could use a consistent right-handed option to balance the team's current bench depth.
Thomas is hitting .261 against left-handed pitching, and the Braves currently have an option in Mike Yastrzemski to handle right-handers. If the franchise isn't going to make a splashy move at the position, Thomas makes a great deal of sense, and the Royals could get something in return for the veteran.
The Braves might be the perfect trade destination for Lane Thomas
For the Royals, these are the types of deals they should be hyper-focused on making over the next few days. Moves that will give them a chance to find surprise contributors in the future and shed pieces that no longer will factor into future winning. Thomas is on an expiring deal, making it clear there is little value in keeping the outfielder rostered moving forward.
It makes sense for the Royals and Braves to explore a trade. Atlanta may just need one final bump to get to contention with a division-leading 62-44 record. Even if Atlanta doesn't prove to be the landing spot, there should be at least one contender that could benefit from the bench depth that Thomas could provide.
Even adding a lesser prospect or a controllable depth piece would be considered a win for a franchise already focused on the 2027 season. Parting ways with Thomas should be expected when you look at the current build of the KC roster and understand that the days ahead are a clear chance to improve the team's future.
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