We are just a week away from the 2024 MLB trade deadline and the Braves will certainly be looking to make additions. Injuries have plagued the team and offensive woes from the first half have continued. Atlanta could use the trade market to fill their need for an offensive spark.
MLB insider Jeff Passan of ESPN mentioned in his recent report that the Braves would be active at the deadline but not "all in". The team needs something to change drastically if they hope to win the division. For now, they lead the NL Wild Card race, which may need to be the goal.
Passan believes Atlanta is primed to add an outfield bat to the roster and is actively scanning the open market. That makes a lot of sense with Michael Harris II being moved to the 60-day IL on Wednesday and below-average production from outfielders Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario.
Braves Rumors: ESPN's Jeff Passan links Atlanta to potential trade for Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas
The ESPN baseball expert believes the Braves could turn to their division rival to fill that need. He stated the team has “long liked” outfielder Lane Thomas of the Washington Nationals. Passan explained, "...the Braves are primed to add an outfield bat -- they've long liked Washington's Lane Thomas-- and hope a repeat of their injury-pocked 2021 championship is in the cards."
Lane Thomas may not be the biggest name but he is extremely talented. Normally, when these rumors surface, it's easy to just brush it off because Atlanta fans know how Alex Anthopoulos likes to keep things quiet. However, Jeff Passan is a very reputable MLB insider and anything he reports is worthy of attention.
This isn't the first time Passan has connected the Braves to Lane Thomas. Last month, he connected Atlanta as a potential suitor for his services.
Life in the fast Lane 😎
— MLB (@MLB) May 30, 2024
Lane Thomas' 3-run homer puts the @Nationals ahead. pic.twitter.com/xDgfnGgtxL
Thomas has crushed left-handed pitching this season with a line of .329/.414/.518 and a 163 wRC+ against southpaws in 2024. His numbers against right-handers are another story as he has a .213 average and 73 wRC+ against them. So, he wouldn't be much better than Duvall has been against RHP but he would be a perfect candidate to platoon with Eddie Rosario in left field.
Lane is quick on his feet and would provide the team with much-needed speed on the basepath. He has stolen 26 bases so far and that's something Atlanta has sorely missed with Acuña and Harris II out.
His speed is a great benefit but he also provides the team with a great leadoff option if the team were to trade for him. His sprint speed is elite at 29.2 feet per second which finds him in the 93rd percentile. Thomas is also a career .271 hitter batting first with 25 home runs, 86 RBI, and a .341 OBP.
He also is in the 86th percentile across Major League Baseball in squared-up percentage, 92nd in whiff percentage, and 77th percentile in whiff percentage. Those are very encouraging numbers that would be welcome in Atlanta's lineup.
LANE THOMAS ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! pic.twitter.com/1ea511jDEJ
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 13, 2024
As for defense, Thomas' OAA of -8 is awful but his speed helps make up for the lack of range. He also makes up for the lack of range with well above-average arm strength. He rates in the 95th percentile with a 92.6 rating for arm strength which is 16th best in all of baseball.
The main issue Atlanta could run into is trading within the division. That is always a tough pill to swallow and the Nationals will likely want a couple of talented prospects in return for his services. There is also the wrinkle that Washington is only six games back of a Wild Card spot. It's doubtful they will make the playoffs but it's close enough that they may be hesitant to let go of him.
Rumors will pick up over the next week and we will keep you informed as they appear. This rumor is extremely plausible and would be a solid fit for both sides. All fans can do now is sit back and watch the show.