Replacing Ronald Acuna Jr. after his knee injury has proven nearly impossible for the Atlanta Braves. When he’s on form, Acuna Jr. is arguably the most dynamic player in baseball, making his absence all the more challenging to fill. Last season, he delivered one of the greatest performances in baseball history, setting a high bar for any replacement.
Initially, the Braves’ strategy to cope without Acuna Jr. featured an outfield trio of Jarred Kelenic, Michael Harris II, and Adam Duvall, which seemed promising. However, this plan has encountered setbacks. While Kelenic has performed adequately, the loss of Harris to a hamstring injury necessitated calling up Ramon Laureano, who has surprisingly held his own. The bigger concern has been Duvall’s struggle, reflected in his disappointing .170/.247/.298 batting line over 190 plate appearances this year.
Consequently, rumors have swirled that the Braves might pursue an outfield upgrade as the early trade deadline approaches. ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently linked Atlanta to Lane Thomas, who has notably troubled the Braves during his tenure with the Nationals.
Could the Braves strike an intra-division deal for Lane Thomas?
On paper, acquiring Thomas would make sense for Atlanta. He showed strong performance in 2021 and 2023 (with a downturn in 2022), and has improved since returning from a knee injury earlier this season. The Braves are well aware of Thomas’s capability to excel, particularly against them, making his acquisition appealing. Additionally, Thomas offers an extra year of team control and is earning a reasonable $5.5 million in 2024.
However, there are hurdles to finalizing a trade for Thomas. Teams generally prefer not to trade within their division, potentially driving up the cost for Atlanta. Moreover, the Nationals, although not likely contenders in their division, are just 2.5 games out of the NL wild card race, complicating any decision to part with one of their top hitters. Nevertheless, with promising prospects like James Wood and Dylan Crews on the rise, moving Thomas could pave the way for their future stars.
In all likelihood, the Braves may opt for a smaller acquisition for outfield depth, possibly considering a reunion with Eddie Rosario if negotiations with the Nationals prove viable. Meanwhile, bolstering their pitching depth remains a priority as they await Michael Harris II’s return from injury. Known for making decisive moves at the trade deadline, Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos could explore a deal for Thomas, provided the Nationals are amenable to negotiations.
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