The Kansas City Royals’ outfield struggled to generate offense last season. Kansas City made one outfield move this winter, adding Kameron Misner from the Rays in a depth move. On December 11, the Royals reportedly added Lane Thomas, one of several moves made on the way.
Thomas joins Royals
Veteran outfielder Lane Thomas is staying in the AL Central, as Thomas will take a reported one-year deal worth $5.25MM (h/t MLB.com).
Thomas, who was acquired by Cleveland in July 2024, only had 144 plate appearances last season. He went on the IL multiple times last year with plantar fasciitis. Foot surgery in September ended his season. Thomas slashed .160/.246/.272 with a gnarly 31% K%.
The 30-year-old proved to be a valuable outfielder when healthy over the years. Thomas, who has one of the shorter swings in baseball, can hit fastballs and run well. He played center and right field with Cleveland but also has experience in left with the Nationals.
He would join a Royals outfield that currently includes Dairon Blanco, Drew Waters, Kyle Isbel, Jac Caglianone, and newcomer Kameron Misner as potential options.
Holderman signs with Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians signed Colin Holderman to a Major League contract on December 11. Holderman was DFA’d and subsequently non-tendered a contract by the Pirates in November.
The Pirates acquired Holderman over three years ago from the Mets in a trade that sent Daniel Vogelbach to Queens. Holderman pitched very well in 2023 and 2024, as he posted a sub-4.00 ERA and averaged over a strikeout per inning. However, he gave up four home runs and posted a 7.01 ERA last season.
Holderman is a heavy sinker/sweeper pitcher, a combination that does work in his favor when limiting well-hit contact. He can throw both his four-seamer and two-seamer into the upper-90s. Holderman was burned, though, last season, up in the zone. It’s worth noting that Holderman began to throw his four-seamer and sinker more, and his sweeper less.
He will also walk batters with regular frequency. Holderman posted 10+% BB% in three of his four Major League seasons.
A’s get Leiter Jr.
The Athletics added to their relief core on December 11, bringing in former Yankee Mark Leiter Jr. on a reported one-year deal worth $3MM.
The 34-year-old Leiter Jr. pitched well with the Cubs across parts of three seasons (2022-24). However, his ERA hovered around five with the Yankees. Leiter Jr., though, does generate a lot of groundballs.
Leiter Jr. is primarily a three-pitch pitcher, with a low-90s two-seamer, splitter, and curve.
Other moves
The Brewers signed outfielder Akil Baddoo to a Major League deal. The 27-year-old played in only five games for the Tigers last season at the MLB level. He hit 15 home runs and stole 25 bases for Toledo (AAA) last season.
Baddoo received regular playing time with the Tigers from 2021 through 2023 while the team was in a rebuild period. He had double-digit home run and stolen base seasons in 2021 and 2023. However, Baddoo struck out a lot, including a career-worst 28.4% K% in 2022.
Ryan Rolison (Braves) and Maverick Handley (Orioles) were designated for assignment.
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source newbaseballmedia.com ’
