The Kansas City Royals reinforced the outfield.
Local media such as “The Athletic” and “MLB.com ” cited sources on the 12th (Korea Standard Time) and reported that the Royals recruited outfielder Lane Thomas (30).
The terms of the contract included an incentive of USD 5.5 million (KRW 8.15 billion) for one year and USD 1 million.
사진 확대 Lane Thomas signs with Kansas City. 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
Thomas made his major league debut with the st. Louis Cardinals in 2019. He played in 600 games in seven seasons for the St. Louis (2018-21), Washington Nationals (2021-24), Cleveland Guardians (2024-25) and hit .242 on-base percentage of .309 slugging percentage of .418.
In 2020 and 2021, he also played with Kim Kwang-hyun at St. Louis.
Joining Cleveland during the 2024 season, he was sluggish with a batting average of 0.209 on-base percentage of 0.267 slugging percentage in 53 games since his transfer.
However, he became a completely different hitter in the postseason. In Game 5 of the Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, he hit a grand slam against opposing ace Tarik Skubal in the bottom of the fifth inning, and in Game 3 of the Championship Series against the New York Yankees, he hit a double in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and no runners, contributing to the tiebreaking home run of the next batter, Noel.
He played only 39 games last season. The batting average of 0.160.246 on-base percentage was 0.272, four homers and 11 RBIs.
I wasn’t healthy. He was hit by a dune on his right wrist at the opening of the home and took a month off due to bone bruising, and after that, he underwent surgery in September after suffering from plantar fasciitis.
Looking for a rebound in a new team this season. MLB.com introduced Thomas as a batter who fits all the elements Royals were looking for, given that he is a “right-handed hitter who can defend center field aiming for a rebound at a low price.”
[KIM JAE HO, MK Sports Reporter]