The Royals may be headed toward a deadline sell-off, and Lane Thomas is making a strong case to be one of the names that draws real interest.
With the Aug. 3 trade deadline less than two weeks away, Kansas City still has bigger questions hanging over possible moves involving Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo. But Thomas, on an expiring deal, looks like the kind of player a contender could circle quickly if the Royals decide to deal from the roster.
That conversation has gotten louder because of what Thomas has done lately. Since June 28, he’s hit .333/.389/.652 with four homers and 12 RBI. His 1.040 OPS ranks ninth among qualified MLB hitters over that stretch, and his 183 wRC+ is tied for 10th best.
The Royals even highlighted the surge on social media, posting, “Lane's launching again! pic.twitter.com/Mto277zLsj”
What makes the run more intriguing is that it’s changing the way Thomas looks as a trade piece. A player who was expected to function as a depth bat this winter is suddenly performing like someone who can slot into a contending lineup and hold his own.
For the season, Thomas is now batting .244/.343/.419 with a 12.6% walk rate, a 112 wRC+ and 1.2 fWAR.
There’s also a track record here. Thomas wasn’t far off league average in 2022 with the Nationals, then again in 2024 when he split time between Washington and Cleveland, posting 98 and 99 wRC+ marks. His best season came in 2023, when he put up a 20/20 year, drove in 86 runs and finished with a 109 wRC+.
If Kansas City does move him, the Royals’ outfield wouldn’t be left bare. Jac Caglianone has stepped up amid injuries and underperformance from Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez, becoming the second-best hitter in the lineup behind Bobby Witt Jr. Isaac Collins has also bounced back to a 158 wRC+ in July, and Kyle Isbel could be back soon from his long-term plantar fascia injury.
Still, Thomas checks a box plenty of teams want at the deadline: a bat with outfield flexibility who can help against lefties. He owns a career .848 OPS and 132 wRC+ versus left-handers, and that kind of split can matter a lot this time of year.
He’s been dealt at the deadline before, and with his bat heating up at just the right moment, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it happens again.
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Royals Suddenly Have A Major Bobby Witt Jr. Concern
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The Royals have already had to navigate plenty of injury trouble this season, and Witts absence only adds to the uncertainty around a lineup that leans heavily on his presence. Tyler Tolbert is starting at shortstop in his place, while Witt is being treated as day-to-day, leaving Kansas City to wait and see how quickly its star can get back on the field. [Read more 🡒]