Kansas City Royals news: The Royals add another outfielder, but they may not be done

SB Nation

Jaylon Thompson writes about the Royals acquiring Isaac Collins and Nick Mears from the Brewers for Angel Zerpa.

“We were in the market for an outfield bat, and you know, through our process we started

having conversations with Milwaukee,” Picollo said. “And immediately, it centered around Zerpa, and we still felt like we need to take care of our bullpen. So there was some reluctance at first, but the more we thought about it, and once another name jumped into the situation like Mears, you know, we felt like it was something worth discussing.”

Collins brings positional versatility. He can play both second and third base in addition to the corner outfield spots. However, the Royals will use him primarily in left field to begin the 2026 campaign.

Craig Brown does a deep dive on what Collins brings to the table.

The one thing Collins has always done, is get on base. He exhibited that skill with aplomb in his rookie season for the Brewers. In 441 plate appearances, Collins hit .263/.368/.411. That works out to a 118 OPS+ and 122 wRC+ and an overall offensive performance that propelled him to a fourth-place finish in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting.

Collins gets on base because his chase rate is elite. He doesn’t get himself out or fall behind in the count because he goes after pitches out of the strike zone. He is an extremely disciplined hitter. That discipline has led to a better than league average 12.9 percent walk rate which…well, you saw the OBP above.

Anne Rogers writes the Royals may not be done.

The Royals were after offense in this trade, acquiring Collins for his contact and on-base ability. On Thursday, Kansas City came to an agreement with free-agent outfielder Lane Thomas on a one-year deal, which still hinges on a physical and was not something Picollo could comment on fully. But that’s two new outfielders who the Royals believe lengthen their lineup and better support the core of the position player group. However, those two acquisitions don’t necessarily mean the Royals are done looking for bats this winter.

“I don’t think it locks us into anything,” Picollo said. “With the defensive versatility, what we think the free agent can do, what we think Isaac can do, there’s still a chance that we may do something else. … I don’t think I’ll sit here and say we’re done. I don’t think that’s the case. But it doesn’t mean we have to get something done.”

David Laurila at Fangraphs talks to Matt Quatraro about having a diverse offense.

“I don’t know how far back you want to go, but the first thing that comes to mind is the Royals with Willie Wilson [668 career steals] and those guys,” added Quatraro, referring to the 1980s squads that twice reached the World Series, winning once and falling short in the other. “But you also had guys like Steve Balboni that could hit homers and do other things. I don’t think you ever had just one type of player top to bottom. You want a diverse way to beat other teams.”

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Keep reacts to the trade with the Brewers.

Noah Cameron was one of the most overachieving pitchers in baseball, according to Sports Info Solutions.

The Brewers are looking at Zerpa as a potential starter.

The Mets sign infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million deal.

The Diamondbacks bring back pitcher Merrill Kelly on a two-year, $40 million deal.

Detroit signs closer Kenley Jansen to a one-year deal.

The Cardinals sign pitcher Dustin May.

The Yankees bring back infielder Amed Rosario.

The Giants are interested in free agent Cody Bellinger.

The Giants and Mariners are frontrunners for Brendan Donovan.

Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow does not expect to be traded.

Luis Robert Jr. is drawing interest from several teams.