Royals, A’s Agree on Ben Zobrist Trade

(July 23, 2015 – Source: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images North America)

The Kansas City Royals have made yet another addition this season by acquiring utilityman Ben Zobrist from the Oakland Athletics.

Zobrist had a long list of suitors that made tabs on him during the season, largely due to the extreme versatility he displays on any given night. Zobrist can line up anywhere on the diamond, besides pitcher and catcher, so there is no real surprise to see Royal prospects Aaron Brooks and Sean Manaea headed the other way.

Zobrist, 34, will probably play left field a lot while Alex Gordon is rehabbing a strained groin, but will probably make his way to second base to take over for “All-Star” second basemen Omar Infante once Gordon returns.

The fit is all fine and dandy in theory, but considering the Royals needed to trade Sean Manaea and Aaron Brooks for his services, one has to wonder whether or not a cheaper option could have been available had the team waited closer to the trading deadline. Ben Zobrist is batting .268 with six homeruns and 33 RBI.

On the flip side, th3 Athletics received two pitching prospects in Sean Manaea and Aaron Brooks.

Manaea, the higher regarded pitching prospect, has thrown 31 and 2/3 innings, posting a 3.69 ERA thus far.

Brooks, on the other hand, has seen some MLB experience but has mostly seen action in Triple-A this year. He has posted a 3.81 ERA in 245 and 2/3 cumulative innings.