Former Guardians postseason hero becomes villain after signing with Royals

In October 2024, Lane Thomas etched his name into Guardians lore by mashing a majestic home run against Tarik Skubal in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. 

It turns out that’ll be the high water mark of his time with the Guardians. 

On Thursday, Thomas signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Royals after lingering in the free agency market for two months after an injury-filled 2025. 

Lane Thomas signs one year deal with Royals after injury-filled year with the Guardians 

Last season Thomas went through the walk year from hell, as he broke his wrist in the Guardians’ home opener after being hit by a pitch and then had two other stints on the injured list due to plantar fasciitis. 

He ended up hitting .160 across 39 games with the Guardians and didn’t play in a game after July 4. He underwent foot surgery in September that was expected to keep him out for four months.

That checkered season was the biggest reason why he ended up settling for a $5.25 million contract despite having a skillset based around power and speed. 

When Thomas is at his best, he’s crushing the ball to all fields while providing above average defense in center. He was doing exactly that in 2023 when his .268 with 23 home runs and 86 RBI in 156 games for the Nationals, which still stands as his best season. 

It’s easy to see why the Royals decided to roll the dice on Thomas given how things went for them in the outfield last season. Last year, Kansas City’s outfielders combined for a .219 batting average, which was the second-lowest mark in the league behind the lowly Angels. 

Kyle Isbel handled his own in center field (.255 average in 135 games), but rookie Jac Caglianone struggled in his first taste of MLB action in right and Drew Waters was a negative player in left. 

The Royals acquired Mike Yastrzemski from the Giants at the trade deadline to handle outfield duties, but he signed a two-year deal with the Braves on Wednesday that likely led to Thomas’ deal. 

Thomas had gone on record that he had some interest in returning to Cleveland, but that won't be the case.

While we don’t know if the Guardians had any interest in reuniting with Thomas, Chris Antonetti has already said that the Guardians are ready to give more opportunities to their young outfielders, and bringing Thomas back would have gone against that thinking. 

Now, Thomas’ time with the Guardians is a case of “what if.” 

While he had those majestic home runs in the postseason, he didn’t produce in the regular season and had to sit on the sideline last season while the Guardians went on their strong run at the end of the season to clinch the AL Central. 

Thomas will get his first chance to haunt his former team on April 6 when the Royals travel to Cleveland to take on the Guardians.