When the Atlanta Braves struck a deal for Lane Thomas on Saturday night, it filled one of the many needs the Braves had going into the deadline. Atlanta needed a right-handed bat that hits lefties well that could play either the outfield or shortstop, and Thomas checks those boxes. However, Thomas isn't exactly the perfect fit.
While there's certainly a need for Thomas on the squad, his platoon splits and defense indicate that he's best off in a very specific role for the Braves.
Lane Thomas will only make sense as a platoon bat for the Braves
At first glance, Thomas's .230/.325/.392 slash and 104 OPS+ isn't overly exciting. While it is a slight upgrade from what the Braves have had from Eli White and Mike Yastrzemski, it's not necessarily a massive upgrade over the duo, especially considering Thomas's defensive struggles, with the outfielder sitting at -7 OAA and -10 DRS for the season.
However, Thomas is a lefty masher. For his career, the former Nationals outfielder has a .850 OPS against southpaws, compared to just a .669 OPS against righties. This year, Thomas has an .800 OPS against lefties, and a .660 OPS against righties. The Braves are currently 16th in OPS against lefties this year, while also having the most plate appearances versus left-handed pitching.
Of course, as the Braves are currently constructed, the DH spot isn't open against southpaws, as Drake Baldwin has slid over from catcher to DH all season against lefties, but Thomas should be an upgrade against lefties over Eli White, who has a .758 OPS against lefties.
However, because of Thomas's defensive struggles, the Braves should be aggressive when it comes to switching out Thomas for defensive purposes. If the Braves choose to hold onto Eli White once Thomas is activated, they'll have one of the best defensive corner outfielders at their disposal.
If the Braves intend to use Thomas as a lefty masher, this could be an excellent move for Atlanta. However, if they're trying to use him as a full-time player, it might be a lateral move for the club, at best.
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