ATLANTA -- Braves fans are hoping to celebrate the acquisition of a frontline starting pitcher before Monday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline. But they at least got to satisfy their trade itch with the news that outfielder Lane Thomas is coming to Atlanta.
Thomas and left-handed pitcher Bailey Falter were acquired from the Royals in exchange for Minor League right-hander Lucas Braun, who had been the Braves’ No. 8 prospect, and left-hander Carter Holton on Saturday night.
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Falter will simply provide organizational depth when he joins Triple-A Gwinnett’s pitching staff Tuesday. Thomas, who will join Atlanta’s roster Tuesday, was the centerpiece of this trade.
TRADE DETAILS
Braves receive: OF Lane Thomas, LHP Bailey Falter
Royals receive: RHP Lucas Braun, LHP Carter Holton
“Thomas is somebody we’ve been looking at for a long time,” Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said. “I would say our interest grew right before the All-Star break and right after the All-Star break when [outfielder Mike Yastrzemski was on the injured list].”
Thomas satisfies the Braves’ desire to add a right-handed bat who can play left field against left-handed pitchers or simply provide manager Walt Weiss with another pinch-hit option. The 30-year-old veteran has hit .263 with a .800 OPS in 135 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers this year.
“We’ve been facing a lot of left-handed openers,” Anthopoulos said. “I think there’s been moments when [manager] Walt [Weiss] has been in a tough spot and where he's had to use a catcher as a right-handed pinch hitter, and things like that. I don’t want to speak for Walt, but I think having a second right-handed option along with Eli [White], that would have opened things up for him.”
The 29-year-old Falter, who spent time on the IL this season with left elbow inflammation and was designated for assignment by the Royals in late May, has posted a 13.97 ERA in five outings (two starts) this season. His best season came with the Phillies in 2022, when he posted a 3.86 ERA over 20 games (16 starts).
Falter has served as a starter for Triple-A Omaha since the middle of June. He allowed three earned runs over 14 innings during his past three starts.