The Kansas City Royals are intent on adding plate production before the trade deadline.
Entering Sunday, Kansas City was just a half game up on the Boston Red Sox for the third and final spot in the American League Wild Card race.
The Royals know that if they aren't aggressive enough on the market, teams like Boston will be better equipped in August and September to seek a playoff berth.
Kansas City's general manager J.J. Picollo is hunting for a right-handed bat (among other things), and he's reportedly talking with the Washington Nationals about 28-year-old outfielder Lane Thomas.
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal revealed on Saturday that the Royals are pursuing a deal for Thomas, with Kansas City also keeping a couple of other options on the table.
The Kansas City Royals ... are targeting one of three right-handed bats — Lane Thomas, Taylor Ward or Luis Rengifo," Rosenthal said. "Kansas City pursued Randy Arozarena, but got outbid, and didn’t line up with the Orioles for Hays."
Thomas is slashing .250/ .329/ .399 with 8 home runs and 39 RBIs this season for Washington.
Will Picollo be able to execute a deal for Thomas, or will he have to pivot to another hitter as Tuesday night nears? Picollo has considered many possibilities over the past few weeks, and he might even settle for a left-handed hitter if the market proves unfavorable for the Royals (Kansas City was recently linked to Cody Bellinger of the Chicago Cubs).
The pressure is on Picollo to add a productive piece or two in the next two days.
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