TRADE REACTION: Are the Braves trying to recreate 2021 title run with Royals' deal?
Reviewing trades and if they have any fantasy implications
Is it 2021 again?
It looks like Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos is hoping it is after tonight’s trade with the Kansas City Royals.
In 2021, the Braves had just lost superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. to a season-ending knee injury while clinging to hope for a playoff spot. Anthopoulos was not finding one star to replace Acuna. Instead, he made four minor deals for Joc Pederson from the Cubs, Jorge Soler from Kansas City, Eddie Rosario from Cleveland and Adam Duvall from Miami.
All four played roles in the Braves’ run to a World Championship, including Rosario being named NLCS MVP and Soler earning World Series MVP.
This year, the Braves are not trying to replace Acuna (who just got back from the IL) but need outfield help since Jurickson Profar was suspended for the year in spring training. Enter another deal with the Royals.
This time, the Braves are getting outfielder Lane Thomas and lefthanded pitcher Bailey Falter for pitching prospects Lucas Braun and Carter Holton.
Braves’ side of the deal
Thomas, who turns 31 later this month, seemed to be set to be a fourth outfielder as a Cardinals prospect in 2019, until a trade to the Washington Nationals unlocked a 28-homer, 20-steals, 101 runs scored season in 2023.
But various injuries have taken that 27-year-old version of Thomas and left this version behind (.230/.325/.392 for the season). The Braves are banking on the recent return to full health that helped him post a .776 OBP with five home runs in July.
Thomas will short-side platoon with Mike Yastrezski in right and allow Maurico Dubon to spend more time on the infield.
Falter was a hot trade piece last year at the trade deadline, but failed to live up to expectations after the Royals acquired him from the Pirates. He’ll be an extra arm with experience for the Braves who have signed minor league deals with Carlos Carrasco seemingly a dozen times this season.
Royals’ side of the deal
In return, the Royals are getting a couple of pieces of the Braves’ abundant pitching prospect pool.
Braun is the definition of a high floor prospect. He’s too small for most teams to be a starting pitcher, but the 6-0, 185-pounder consistently succeeds despite the lack of any one great pitch. At Triple A this season, he’s 5-2, 3.92 ERa, 1.33 WHIP with 31 Ks in 43.2 innings. He is maxed out on development, but could be an inning-eating fifth starter as soon as next season.
Holton was a second-round pick for the Braves in 2024, but blew out his elbow in his first pro start. The 23-year-old lefty finally returned on May 19 and is not surprisingly struggling with control (6 walks in his last outing). He is another small (5-11, 190) pitcher who was known for his slider and a fastball that topped out at 98.
Given the Royals top pitching prospect Kendry Chourio is 6-0, 160, it looks like the Royals have a type they like and these two will fit.