One of the more persistent (and annoying) needs that the Atlanta Braves have had for a while is another right-handed bat. With Austin Riley being a net-negative on offense most of the time and Ronald Acuña Jr. struggling to impact the bat with any regularity, the Braves don't have many reliable weapons against southpaw pitchers and that has led to some...unfortunate offensive performances over the last couple of months.
The problem is that most contenders out there are looking to acquire righty bats at the trade deadline this year, and the supply is absolutely not going to meet the demand. However, the Braves were able to add a pretty intriguing platoon bat in Lane Thomas in a trade with the Royals, who also has been a thorn in Atlanta's side in the past. In the trade, the Braves are also acquiring LHP Bailey Falter in the deal.
Trade news: The Atlanta Braves are acquiring outfielder Lane Thomas and left-hander Bailey Falter from the Kansas City Royals, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 2, 2026
**UPDATE: 9:59 PM EST**
We now have the trade package the Braves gave up for Thomas and Falter. Atlanta pitching prospects LHP Carter Holton and RHP Lucas Braun will be heading to Kansas City.
Sources: The Braves are sending Carter Holton and Lucas Braun to the Royals in the Lane Thomas and Bailey Falter trade.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) August 2, 2026
Braves add the righty bat they have coveted all year long in former nemesis Lane Thomas as well as LHP Bailey Falter
At almost 31 years old, the odds are not high that Thomas is going to turn into some sort of superstar in Atlanta. However, despite middling overall production, Thomas is still quite fast and currently has an .800 OPS against lefties. Given the Braves' needs and what their current options on the roster are, what Thomas is should be more than good enough as long as Alen Anthopoulos also improves the rest of the roster.
Those who have followed the Braves for a while may remember that Thomas used to be one of those players that seemed as though the Braves just couldn't get out when he was with the Nationals. His career OPS against Atlanta is only .732, but man did it feel like it was north of 1.000 at times.
As for Falter, he is an interesting inclusion in this deal. He entered the season as a spot starter/long reliever for Kansas City, but has spent most of his time in the minors where he has posted a 3.35 ERA in 43 innings of work. Falter has had some elbow issues, but the Braves certainly could use another lefty out of the bullpen who can go multiple innings and even start in a pinch.