A Doozy of a Trade: The Brewers and Royals’ Enigmatic Deal

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The Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals have made a trade that has left many scratching their heads. In exchange for left-handed pitcher Angel Zerpa, the Royals received outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed pitcher Nick Mears from the Brewers. This deal has raised eyebrows, especially considering the Brewers’ history of making seemingly inexplicable trades that often pay off in the end.

The Trade Breakdown

Isaac Collins, a 28-year-old outfielder, was a player many saw as a potential NL Rookie of the Year candidate last season. Although he faded down the stretch, finishing fourth in the voting, Collins’ .779 OPS would have ranked fifth on the Royals’ team. He is a switch-hitter who can play multiple positions, including left field, second base, and third base.
Nick Mears, on the other hand, is a right-handed pitcher who had a career year in 2024, posting a 3.49 ERA and a sub-1.00 WHIP. Zerpa, the left-handed pitcher sent to the Brewers, is a specialist who struggles against right-handed hitters but has a high ground-ball rate that could benefit from the Brewers’ strong infield defense.

The Royals’ Plans

The Royals are not done making moves this offseason. They are still looking to add another outfielder, with Jarren Duran and Brendan Donovan being top targets. However, the path to acquiring these players is complex, and the Royals may need to orchestrate a three-way trade to make it happen.

Minor Leagues Consolidating Data

In a move that could level the playing field for teams, the MLB league office will centralize data and technology vendors in minor-league parks starting this upcoming season. This means that all 30 teams will have access to the same set of information, which could benefit teams that have not invested heavily in this technology.

Free-Agent Signings

While top free agents like Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, and Alex Bregman are still weighing their options, teams are filling in the middle-of-the-roster spots. Notable signings include Jorge Polanco, Tyler Rogers, Merrill Kelly, Kenley Jansen, and Danny Jansen.

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