<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Washington Nationals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sOm1EjovhPRYoRRNQ0ACiIdk6sk=/0x0:7642x5095/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73477771/2157477011.0.jpg">
Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images
Braves reportedly have interest in a familiar outfielder from the Nationals. In his latest report on the trade deadline, Jeff Passan of ESPN mentioned the Braves have “long liked” Lane Thomas of the Washington Nationals while pointing out the Braves are actively looking for outfield help.
So, yeah, even if president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos is shooting more for singles and doubles than home runs, 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.
While anyone with a laptop and single firing brain cell who covers this sport will tell you the Braves need, and are looking for outfield help, Passan is the premier reporter in the sport. So when he ties the Braves to a specific name, it’s notable.
Thomas is a RH left-fielder for Washington who has spent his career mashing left-handed pitching. This season is no different as he’s posted a 163 wRC+ vs LHP. The reason he isn't a perfect fit is because of the 71 wRC+ he's posted against right-handed pitching. And the Braves as a team generally need more help vs RHP than LHP.
Still he’s upgrade to what they have now and would be bring some speed and athleticism back to the lineup that has been sorely missing since Ronald Acuńa Jr and Michael Harris II went down with injuries. Thomas has 25 stolen bases on the season.
<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Washington Nationals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sOm1EjovhPRYoRRNQ0ACiIdk6sk=/0x0:7642x5095/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73477771/2157477011.0.jpg">
Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images
Braves reportedly have interest in a familiar outfielder from the Nationals. In his latest report on the trade deadline, Jeff Passan of ESPN mentioned the Braves have “long liked” Lane Thomas of the Washington Nationals while pointing out the Braves are actively looking for outfield help.
So, yeah, even if president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos is shooting more for singles and doubles than home runs, 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.
While anyone with a laptop and single firing brain cell who covers this sport will tell you the Braves need, and are looking for outfield help, Passan is the premier reporter in the sport. So when he ties the Braves to a specific name, it’s notable.
Thomas is a RH left-fielder for Washington who has spent his career mashing left-handed pitching. This season is no different as he’s posted a 163 wRC+ vs LHP. The reason he isn't a perfect fit is because of the 71 wRC+ he's posted against right-handed pitching. And the Braves as a team generally need more help vs RHP than LHP.
Still he’s upgrade to what they have now and would be bring some speed and athleticism back to the lineup that has been sorely missing since Ronald Acuńa Jr and Michael Harris II went down with injuries. Thomas has 25 stolen bases on the season.
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