The Atlanta Braves should bring back Lane Thomas for the 2027 season on a short, cheap deal. He provides a needed right-handed bat to pair with Mike Yastrzemski in the outfield without costing a fortune. The team does not need to sign him to a long-term contract or pay a premium price for his services.
Thomas struggled in his limited time with Atlanta, but he has a proven track record of hitting left-handed pitching. Battery Power notes that he generally pounds lefties, a skill that showed up clearly during his time in Kansas City before his injury shortened his run with the Braves. The data shows he was unplayable against right-handed pitchers while his inputs backslid against lefties in a very small sample size. This specific weakness does not make him a liability if the team uses him strictly as a platoon player.
The Profar Problem Opens A Door
The biggest reason to keep Thomas is the uncertain future of Jurickson Profar. Alex Anthopoulos, the president of baseball operations, admitted the situation is unresolved. “We realize it’s something we’re going to have to address,” Anthopoulos said regarding Profar’s status. The team has not made up its mind yet, and they might wait until Spring Training to decide.
Since agreeing to a three-year, $42 million contract prior to the 2025 season, Profar has appeared in just 80 games. He received an 80-game suspension in 2025 and a 162-game suspension in 2026 after testing positive for banned substances. Because he was not paid during those suspensions, his financial cost was only about $6 million over the last two years. However, barring another suspension, he is set to receive $15 million for the final season of his contract in 2027.
Even if Profar returns, he has only played 80 MLB games over the past two years. His presence in the clubhouse could also be a distraction as he tries to regain trust from teammates he let down twice. With these issues, the Braves need a reliable backup plan that does not cost $15 million. Thomas fits that role perfectly as a right-handed designated hitter or pinch-hit option.
