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Royals sign former Guardians, Nationals outfielder in free agency
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- Royals sign former Guardians, Nationals outfielder in free agency
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The Kansas City Royals are hoping to reinforce their outfield by adding veteran Lane Thomas , according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. Both sides have come to an agreement on a one-year, $5.25 million deal that includes $1 million in incentives, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
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KC is reportedly interested in Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Teoscar Hernandez , but general manager J.J. Picollo clearly wanted some insurance in case a blockbuster trade is unattainable. Before this move, the Royals were linked to other outfielders like Harrison Bader , Austin Hays and Mike Yastrzemski (played 50 games with the team in 2025).
Although fans understandably want the organization to significantly upgrade the lineup, Thomas has proven himself to be productive in the past. He posted 28 home runs and 86 RBIs for the Washington Nationals in 2023 but scuffled tremendously with the Cleveland Guardians . A monster Game 5 in the 2024 American League Division Series, which saw Thomas mash a go-ahead grand slam off Tarik Skubal in the fifth inning, salvaged what was otherwise a rough one-and-a-half-year tenure in The Forest City.
The 2014 fifth-round draft pick batted .189 with a .598 OPS in 92 regular season games for the Guards. Injuries contributed to his struggles, but the Royals obviously believe a healthy Thomas has something to offer. More reinforcements will probably be needed. KC failed to build on a successful 2024 campaign and finished short of the postseason with an 82-80 record in 2025. A feeble offense was a big reason why.
Bobby Witt Jr. maintained his elite standing among shortstops, Maikel Garcia broke through with an All-Star showing and Vinnie Pasquantino recorded 30-plus homers and 100-plus RBIs, but few others stepped up in the batter's box. If the Royals take a conservative approach with their lineup once again, they will be watching the playoffs from home, once again.
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Lane Thomas does not seem like a needle-mover based on his overall body of work, but he is determined to aid Kansas City's revival mission by completing one of his own.
Related: MLB rumors: Pirates, Royals linked to Astros' Jake Meyers trade talks
