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KANSAS CITY<\/strong> \u2014 Continuing their flurry of activity following the Winter Meetings, the Royals swung a trade Saturday night. They acquired outfielder\u00a0Isaac Collins<\/a>\u00a0and right-handed reliever\u00a0Nick Mears<\/a>\u00a0from the Brewers and sent lefty reliever\u00a0Angel Zerpa<\/a>\u00a0to Milwaukee, sources told MLB.com.<\/p>\n The trade has not been confirmed by the clubs.<\/p>\n TRADE DETAILS<\/strong> Perhaps utility player is a better label for Collins, who logged a majority of his games for the Brewers last year in left field but also saw time at third base and second base. That versatility was appealing for Kansas City, although the club acquired him to play left field in 2026 as the roster stands now.<\/p>\n Collins\u2019 defensive metrics are solid. He\u00a0led the Majors<\/a>\u00a0with 6\u00a0outs above average<\/a>\u00a0in left field last season, and he has some speed. But the Royals acquired the switch-hitting Collins mainly for his bat as they continue to look for outfielders who can help elevate their offense next season.<\/p>\n Signings & Trades<\/strong> The 28-year-old finished fourth in the\u00a0National League Rookie of the Year voting<\/a>\u00a0last season after posting a\u00a0slash line<\/a>\u00a0of .263\/.368\/.411 with a 118\u00a0OPS+<\/a>, nine home runs and 54 RBIs. His profile is one that fits the Royals \u2014 lots of contact, not a lot of chase. Evaluators add that he brings consistent and gritty at-bats that make pitchers work.<\/p>\n Collins\u2019 18.4% chase rate ranked in MLB\u2019s 98th percentile, per\u00a0Statcast<\/a>, and he recorded just a 22.5% whiff rate. His 12.9% walk rate was tied for 19th in baseball (minimum 400 plate appearances). While there could be some regression for Collins next year in his second full season in the Major Leagues, the on-base and swing decisions typically aren\u2019t things that fall off for hitters. That skill set is exactly why the Royals targeted him to lengthen the lineup.<\/p>\n This trade was able to get to the finish line, sources said, because the Royals were able to acquire Mears, too \u2013 a pitcher the Royals have had interest in going back to his time with Colorado in 2023. The 29-year-old possesses an above-average fastball and posted a 3.49 ERA across 56 2\/3 innings in 2025, with just 13 walks and 46 strikeouts. And he adds chase to the Royals\u2019 bullpen. Mears logged a 33.5% chase rate in \u201825 \u2014 a number that ranked in MLB\u2019s 93rd percentile, per\u00a0Statcast<\/a>. He relies mainly on his fastball-slider combination, with a curveball thrown some, too.<\/p>\n Mears threw mid- to high-leverage innings with Milwaukee, and the Royals expect him to find the same role with them, lengthening their bullpen in front of setup man Lucas Erceg and closer Carlos Est\u00e9vez.<\/p>\n
Royals get:<\/strong>\u00a0OF Isaac Collins, RHP Nick Mears
Brewers get:<\/strong>\u00a0LHP Angel Zerpa<\/p>\n
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