The Atlanta Braves took a big swing two days before the MLB trade deadline, bringing Kansas City Royals outfielder Lane Thomas and pitcher Bailey Falter on board, according to multiple reports.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan was first to report the two sides agreed to the deal on Saturday, Aug. 1. Two prospects, Carter Holton and Lucas Braun, are going to Kansas City, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.
In a trade market with plenty of buyers, few sellers and not many right-handed hitters available, Thomas stands out.
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The 30-year-old slashed .232/.326/.393 in 97 games for the Royals this season. But he’s only three years removed from a breakout 28-homer campaign with the Washington Nationals.
In eight MLB seasons, Thomas has 86 home runs, 291 RBIs and a .240/.311/.415 slash line with the St. Louis Cardinals (2019-21), Nationals (2021-24), Cleveland Guardians (2024-25) and Royals.
Trade news: The Atlanta Braves are acquiring outfielder Lane Thomas and left-hander Bailey Falter from the Kansas City Royals, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 2, 2026
Falter, 29, is 25-32 with a 4.77 ERA across six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (2021-23), Pittsburgh Pirates (2023-25) and Royals (2025-26). The 2026 season has been his most arduous.
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Falter trying to overcome poor start to 2026
The left-hander missed time earlier this season with left elbow inflammation. He stumbled out of the gate after returning from a minor-league rehab assignment. Falter was 0-2 with a 13.97 ERA in five games (two starts) when the Royals designated him for assignment on May 27.
In 17 games (seven starts) with Triple-A Omaha, Falter was 2-1 with a 3.35 ERA.
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Falter technically could have been traded after the Aug. 3 deadline, which only prohibits teams from trading players on 40-man rosters. Most likely, he’ll head to the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate but could be part of their bullpen or rotation down the stretch.
Atlanta (66-45) is 8.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. Thomas gives them an extra right-handed bat in a division where left-handers Cristopher Sanchez and Jesús Luzardo are trying to help the Phillies win their third straight title.
Kansas City acquired a pair of young pitchers in Braun, a 2023 sixth-round draft pick by the Braves and reached Triple-A Gwinnett. He was 5-2 with a 3.92 ERA this season. Holton is a 2024 second-rounder who made six starts for Single-A Augusta this season.
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