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Brewers Trade Isaac Collins To Royals For Angel Zerpa

By Charlie Wright | December 14, 2025 at 12:10pm CDT

December 14: Both teams have officially announced the trade.

December 13: The Brewers are sending outfielder Isaac Collins and right-hander Nick Mears to the Royals, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. Left-hander Angel Zerpa is heading to Milwaukee in the swap, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Kansas City entered the offseason with a plan to add outfielders. The club made good on those intentions this week. After signing Lane Thomas on Friday, the Royals now add the switch-hitting Collins to the outfield mix. The cost is a controllable lefty reliever, though they get a bullpen piece back in return. Milwaukee clears some of its outfield glut while adding a hard-throwing reliever who is just now hitting arbitration.

The 28-year-old Collins went from relative obscurity to an integral part of Milwaukee’s offense last season. He made the team out of Spring Training and emerged as the club’s primary left fielder. Collins delivered a 122 wRC+ across 130 games. He finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting, just behind teammate Caleb Durbin.

The Brewers were reportedly looking to move some of their outfield depth, with Collins and Blake Perkins mentioned as potential candidates. Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick are entrenched as everyday options, with Christian Yelich factoring in when he isn’t DHing. Collins, Perkins, Garrett Mitchell, and Brandon Lockridge were in the mix behind that trio. Milwaukee also added Akil Baddoo on a split deal.

Zerpa popped up in trade discussions last offseason, but ultimately remained in Kansas City. He reached 60 appearances for the second straight season, posting a 4.18 ERA over 64 2/3 innings. Zerpa pushed his solid ground ball rate to league-leading levels in 2025. He’d always been more of a grounder-getter than a strikeout guy, but his 63.7% ground ball rate ranked in the 99th percentile last season.

The 26-year-old Zerpa’s 3.97 career ERA doesn’t jump off the page, though his underlying numbers paint a better picture. The lefty posted a career-best 3.38 SIERA in 2025, bringing his career mark down to 3.67. He had a solid 3.50 xFIP this past year. Zerpa has recorded a BABIP above .320 in back-to-back seasons. His ground ball approach can lead to some batted ball variance, but that number could regress in future seasons.

Mears came to Milwaukee in a trade from Colorado in July 2024. He struggled mightily in his first partial season with the team, but provided solid results as a middle relief option in 2025. Mears faltered down the stretch, allowing five earned runs in five September appearances. He also missed time with back tightness that month. Mears tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings in the NLDS but was left off the NLCS roster.

Kansas City has been linked to several outfielders in the trade market, including Teoscar Hernandez, Jake Meyers, and Brendan Donovan. They were connected to Jarren Duran earlier today. Harrison Bader and Austin Hays have been mentioned as free agent possibilities for the Royals. They entered the offseason with an unproven group of  Jac Caglianone, Kyle Isbel, and John Rave in the outfield, with Tyler Tolbert and Dairon Blanco as bench options.

Thomas and Collins aren’t Duran-level additions, but they’re improvements on the in-house choices. The former Brewer should help in particular against right-handed pitching. Collins slashed .280/.390/.415 over 295 plate appearances from the left side. He showed some power as a righty, but hit just .232 with a pedestrian .324 OBP. Thomas will likely grab playing time against lefty starters.

Zerpa is an intriguing fit in what projects to be a lefty-heavy bullpen. Milwaukee already has Jared Koenig and Aaron Ashby locked into leverage roles, with Rob Zastryzny in a middle relief gig and DL Hall as the long guy. Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe should soak up the majority of the save opportunities, with Koenig as the situational closer if multiple lefties are coming up. Zerpa might need one or two of those relievers to get dealt to factor into a late-inning job.

Photo courtesy of Benny Sieu, Imagn Images

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Kansas City Royals Milwaukee Brewers Newsstand Transactions Angel Zerpa Isaac Collins Nick Mears

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157 Comments

  1. horaceallen

    1 month ago

    Good pickups for the Royals.

    42
    Reply
    • JimOToole

      1 month ago

      Collins and Mears both faded in September. Mears didn’t even make the Brewers’ postseason roster, and Collins shouldn’t have given his slump.

      7
      Reply
      • Awesom-O

        1 month ago

        I smell a brewers fan.

        5
        Reply
  2. I Like Big Bunts

    1 month ago

    Good sale high by the Brewers

    6
    Reply
    • stu18germanator

      1 month ago

      Selling high would mean they got the most value possible in return… you call getting Zerpa in return “selling high”?

      24
      Reply
      • JuanUribeJazzHands

        1 month ago

        Collins is coming off of a 122 wRC+ season

        I think that’s selling high

        5
        Reply
      • Russell Branyan

        1 month ago

        I mean obviously they did get what they felt was the “most value possible”, or they wouldn’t have done it.
        You could fill volumes with all the bad takes around Brewers pitcher trades the last few years. Just go read all the takes here after the Priester deal

        7
        Reply
      • fivepoundbass

        1 month ago

        Selling high men’s trading a player coming off a season that you don’t think is repeatable.

        8
        Reply
    • KnicksFanCavsFan

      1 month ago

      @Ilike

      So you think Collins has peaked in his first season? He could prove to be a good player for the next 5 years.

      3
      Reply
      • algionfriddo

        1 month ago

        Could very well be the case. 2026 will be age 28 season. FG projections are middling at best… .233 .335 .371

        2
        Reply
        • KnicksFanCavsFan

          1 month ago

          @alg

          what relevance does age 28 mean? he wasn’t a late bloomer he was a late call up. he’s doing the exact same thing he’d been doing in the minors.

          1
          Reply
        • algionfriddo

          1 month ago

          The relevance… Age 27 for debut (100+PA) is a bit older than average (24-25). That and his FG projections lead me to see him as more of a AAAA player who had 4 good offensive months out of 6 in 2025. His .326 BABIP was his best since 2021. Unlikely he repeats that. DRS had him at -3 (7 out of 8 Brewer. OF/100 innings) with a -3 arm (ranked last). This is not a safe bet by the Royals, More like he finishes 98/100 wRC+ rather than 122. Still, that is league average,

          2
          Reply
      • Dumpster Divin Theo

        1 month ago

        Jerome Walton says hi!

        Reply
  3. chandlerbing

    1 month ago

    if its really just zerpa for isaac + mears
    then this a huge W for royals
    and very questionable move by brewers

    48
    Reply
    • hiflew

      1 month ago

      There HAS to be more return for the Brewers.

      18
      Reply
      • Billy Goats

        1 month ago

        My feeling is Mears and Collins are both borderline MLB guys, but looked really good when they were put in ideal situations as the Brewers did with them. I think it will be similar to how Tampa used to trade guys with great numbers and then they would tank for the next team.

        3
        Reply
        • FrankRoo

          1 month ago

          So is Zerpa and his 4+ FIP the last 3 seasons. Mears has a lower FIP in the same span. A terrible deal for the Brewers who will justify it by saying “we needed a lefty”.

          1
          Reply
        • bdpecore

          1 month ago

          Brewers really don’t need another lefty reliever with Koenig, Ashby, Hall and Zastryzny already on the roster. My guess it they think they can get more out of Zerpa than he’s already produced. They do have a knack for turning fringe pitchers into quality ones.

          1
          Reply
    • chandlerbing

      1 month ago

      isaac collins can play 2B, 3B, he can play RF, LF, CF. he had such an underrated rookie year. he seemed to perfectly fit in milwaukee. a little speed, a little pop, great OBP. i think he could be in OD lineup for KC

      7
      Reply
      • seamaholic 2

        1 month ago

        Collins is a AAAA player who had a freakish year in 2025 and isn’t young.

        13
        Reply
        • wissportdude1102

          1 month ago

          29 year old “rookie”

          1
          Reply
        • KnicksFanCavsFan

          1 month ago

          @seam

          What a misuse of the “AAAA player” designation. Those types are usually guys who perform well at AAA and are usually old for the level but then struggle at the mlb level. I haven’t followed him prior but it looks like he was drafted after 3 years in college and had an .800+ OPS in his 5 years in the minors. He debuted briefly last year and in his first full season posted a .800+ OPS and a great 14% walk rate. Not exactly struggling and he didn’t bounce back to AAA. As for his age, who cares? All a team should worry about is his next 6 years of control not the next 10 years of his career. He was near a 3 year guy and who’s to say he couldn’t add more power and be a 4 WAR guy earning minimum?

          7
          Reply
        • FrankRoo

          1 month ago

          If it was Mears alone makes the deal is still questionable. An ok RHP for a slightly worse LHP. Throw in Collins and the deal makes no sense. What other teams were valuing Zerpa this high?

          4
          Reply
      • TokingPineTar

        1 month ago

        He even finished 4th in RotY voting, definitely a head scratcher by the Brewers!

        3
        Reply
        • Dumpster Divin Theo

          1 month ago

          Jerome Walton roy

          Reply
      • cheesemanforever

        1 month ago

        I’ve learned not to second guess Matt Arnold.

        10
        Reply
      • jbeerj

        1 month ago

        No, he cant play 3B or CF, and he can barely play 2B.

        5
        Reply
        • chandlerbing

          1 month ago

          incl minors,
          374 career games at 2B
          75 games at CF

          he must have had the worst managers ever to consistently put him at a position he can “barely play” or “cant play”

          7
          Reply
        • Warren Spahn

          1 month ago

          Wrong, he is an infielder, but when the Brewers needed help in left field, he played outstanding defense.

          Reply
        • raregokus

          1 month ago

          I don’t disagree with you but using minor league games played at a position as a proxy for the positions a player is able to play at a major league level is a terrible idea for so many reasons that should be blatantly obvious

          2
          Reply
        • Jaysfansince92

          1 month ago

          It’s not the worst idea to use games played at a position on the minors when he hasn’t been giving an opportunity to try at the Major League level. It’s really the only information anyone has to go on at the moment other than scouting reports.

          Reply
      • Tigers3232

        1 month ago

        Collins played 2 games at one IF position and 3 at the other. I would not label him as being able to play either. He ll also b turning age 29 shortly after All Star break. Hes a 4th OF.

        4
        Reply
    • SuperDuper

      1 month ago

      Royals’ chances of winning 1st or 2nd just greatly increased, while the Brewers’ chances went the other way.

      1
      Reply
      • cheesemanforever

        1 month ago

        Hope you’re kidding. This is not like the teams swapped Chourio for Bobby Witt Jr

        4
        Reply
        • hiflew

          1 month ago

          You think the Royals swapping Witt for Chourio would HELP the Royals?

          Reply
        • SuperDuper

          1 month ago

          Yeah I’m kidding. The Brewers have magic.

          1
          Reply
        • SuperDuper

          1 month ago

          Anybody who thinks Witt leaving the Royals will help them has no idea how baseball works.

          Reply
        • cheesemanforever

          1 month ago

          My point: This was not an earth shaking trade.

          4
          Reply
    • Russell Branyan

      1 month ago

      Guessing teams weren’t buying into Collins, he has really only had a couple good months. Isaac was so bad in the 2nd half that he stopped getting PT, he was getting eaten alive by breaking balls down and in, and his defense fell off a cliff.

      5
      Reply
      • KnicksFanCavsFan

        1 month ago

        @Russ

        Haha… figured out? He had a June OPS over .900, July and August were around .850 and he had a horrible 14 game stretch in Sept/Oct where he struggled but still had a 11 walks and 10 ks. He still sported a .345 OBP. That doesn’t indicate he was “eaten alive” by breaking balls.

        3
        Reply
        • Russell Branyan

          1 month ago

          2nd half was perhaps too uncharitable, the defensive downturn happened when he got back from paternity leave mid August, and the breaking ball issue started shortly after. His September numbers dont look so bad because he they stopped playing him every day, any RH w a good slider you can bet he wasnt playing.

          1
          Reply
        • Russell Branyan

          1 month ago

          Hopefully he can get that magic back, maybe not getting everyday AB’s hurt his rhythm, but the Brewers clearly didnt believe in him, and judging by the return the league as a whole isnt very high on him.

          5
          Reply
        • stubby66

          1 month ago

          Well think the Brewers did believe in him but they almost have the same guy in Black who they gotta decide to either give a fair chance or give up plus with Mitchell coming back it was just plain get while his stock was high. Do think Collins will keep getting better with regular playing time. Who knows Ben Zorbist was a late bloomer too.

          2
          Reply
        • Avory

          1 month ago

          @KnicksFanCavsFan

          Make sure to add that 0 for 9 and seven strikeout performance in the postseason to his 2nd half swoon…

          He’s a kid everyone should root for, but the Royals shouldn’t depend on him for solid every day play any more than the more accomplished Lane Thomas. It’s what small markets have to do: throw stuff against the wall and hope it sticks.

          3
          Reply
    • No ABS in '27

      1 month ago

      I disagree, coup for the Brewers. Zerpa throws sinker/four seamer and sits 96, has the makeup of a potential starter with 3 years control. Doesn’t miss many bats but when he learns to get outs with his changeup, he will be very good. Those GB rates play up. Solid lefty out of the bullpen at the very least.

      4
      Reply
  4. JuanUribeJazzHands

    1 month ago

    Well

    He’s almost certainly an improvement over what they had last year

    2026 FG projection: 102 wRC+, 0.8 fWAR/315 PA

    Fringe starter

    6
    Reply
    • JuanUribeJazzHands

      1 month ago

      BTV says

      Zerpa $7.5

      Collins $6.2
      Mears $3.7
      Total: $9.9

      Slight overpay by Milwaukee per BTV

      8
      Reply
      • Steven hempel

        1 month ago

        Don’t need bTV to tell me this is dumb as 💩. What the hell Arnold

        4
        Reply
        • cheesemanforever

          1 month ago

          Yes because Arnold has made one dumb move after another 🤦‍♂️

          6
          Reply
    • TLB2001

      1 month ago

      0.8 fWAR would be more than the aggregate total of every player who played outfield for the Royals last year. Zerpa for Collins straight up as a win. Serviceable if unexciting reliever is just gravy.

      5
      Reply
  5. wisconsinsports

    1 month ago

    Crap choice for Brewers! Unbelievable! If we spent some money like the dodgers did we might have a chance at winning in all!

    8
    Reply
    • Gobraves88

      1 month ago

      yeah so would the rockies

      4
      Reply
    • Russell Branyan

      1 month ago

      Obvious troll is obvious

      4
      Reply
      • Gobraves88

        1 month ago

        @Russ not trying to troll but you give the rockies that much money and they actually spend it they’d be good.

        Reply
        • kcmark

          1 month ago

          No they wouldn’t. They’d sign another Kris Bryant.

          5
          Reply
    • cheesemanforever

      1 month ago

      Missing your sarcasm alert.

      Reply
    • This one belongs to the Reds

      1 month ago

      If everyone had the same income the Dodgers have, they would have a chance! (except in cases of lousy management, never help there in any league)

      5
      Reply
  6. WadeBoggsWildRide

    1 month ago

    Are there more pieces moving than these three? Collins and a controllable reliever for… a controllable reliever.

    1
    Reply
    • wisconsinsports

      1 month ago

      It wouldn’t make sense for the Rockies because they don’t have a good core to build around. The Brewers do and they just need a couple more piece to win it all.

      3
      Reply
    • wscaddie56

      1 month ago

      I’d love to see the crew get more but mears is out of options. Looks like this Zerpa guy has 1.
      Mearcat was solid as the get out of a jam guy but they must not see him capable of more.

      3
      Reply
      • holecamels35

        1 month ago

        I am not sure it’s because of options. Both of these pitchers have been in the majors for years now. Just seems like they don’t believe in Collins, lost some faith in Mears, and think Zerpa will be very good with their defense behind him.

        Odd deal but Brewers win these more often than not.

        7
        Reply
  7. Steven hempel

    1 month ago

    That’s it!!!!what

    Reply
  8. 2026 Free Agency Contest Award Winner

    1 month ago

    I don’t get this for Milwaukee

    20
    Reply
    • HalosHeavenJJ

      1 month ago

      Same. Unless there are more pieces still to be reported.

      5
      Reply
    • Russell Branyan

      1 month ago

      Same, was hoping they could sell high on both guys, but not seeing what’s so special about Zerpa. OTOH, the Brewers know pitching like no one else, so they must see something in him

      9
      Reply
      • Russell Branyan

        1 month ago

        Also, maybe they are getting more and it just hasnt been announced yet?

        Reply
        • Unclemike1526

          1 month ago

          I think it also means that the Brewers are going to try and make Hall a starter again as Zerpa replaces Hall in the pen and Hall goes to the rotation? IDK

          3
          Reply
        • Russell Branyan

          1 month ago

          Good point, could see Hall or Ashby getting a rotation slot with a good ST

          3
          Reply
        • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

          1 month ago

          Off topic Uncle Mike; just wondering if you have heard anything official regarding Cubs listening to offers on Hoerner ?? News to me if true.

          Reply
        • Unclemike1526

          1 month ago

          When they had Cam Smith and Shaw I thought it might have been a possibility. Hoerner is in the last year of his deal so somebody was bound to write about for some clicks. Probably much more likely he signs an extension in ST or during the year to me now. Anyway he’s not going anywhere this year unless Hoyer does something stupid like sign a 3B for big money which I don’t see either.

          1
          Reply
      • JuanUribeJazzHands

        1 month ago

        RB

        “what’s so special about Zerpa”

        Massive GB rate

        5
        Reply
        • TLB2001

          1 month ago

          Lefty who throws GAS. Can be very good at times but also gave up some bombs in high leverage situations.

          1
          Reply
        • JuanUribeJazzHands

          1 month ago

          Per FanGraphs

          He has have 67 hitters in high leverage situations and allowed 2 HR. That’s exactly the same as his overall rate of .03 HR/PA. And right in line with the league average of .03 HR/PA.

          You’re correct, that hé has given up some home runs in high leverage situations.

          You’re implication that he does so at a worrisome rate appears to be wrong

          3
          Reply
        • Phunkzilla

          1 month ago

          EXACTLY! A LEFTY with massive GB rate. This type of stuff is too confusing for the majority of Brewers fana

          2
          Reply
        • JuanUribeJazzHands

          1 month ago

          Pz

          “This type of stuff is too confusing for the majority of Brewers fana”

          Muted

          1
          Reply
    • Jswag

      1 month ago

      In Mils opinion given the 26/40 man roster restrictions and what we have, Brewers opened a roster spot in a really 40-man-crunched organization for another year of control for a reliever (they feel) either 1) helps their puzzle better or 2) is a certain level better reliever than Mears going forward. Doesn’t need to be tough,

      4
      Reply
  9. C-Daddy

    1 month ago

    “…return to the World Series next year.” Pretty sure neither of these teams were in the World Series last year.

    55
    Reply
    • ba$eba||F@n21

      1 month ago

      Neither the Brewers or Royals have been in the WS recently…

      27
      Reply
    • DolemiteisMyname

      1 month ago

      @Release-Whats your definition of recent?

      Reply
    • ba$eba||F@n21

      1 month ago

      It is either 2015 or 1982 haha!

      3
      Reply
    • ba$eba||F@n21

      1 month ago

      A decade ago is not recent

      1
      Reply
    • sadmarinersfan

      1 month ago

      Royals have…

      Reply
    • tangerinepony

      1 month ago

      The Royals haven’t been to the WS in over 10 years… that’s NOT recent!!!!

      1
      Reply
    • royalcb99

      1 month ago

      To clarify, the Royals have been in the World Series in: 1980 vs Phillies, 1985 vs Cardinals, 2014 vs Giants, 2015 vs Mets. Don’t discredit them to make yourself feel better. It’s no Dynasty but it’s more than a lot of teams.

      1
      Reply
    • ba$eba||F@n21

      1 month ago

      Most of us are aware of when teams have been in the World Series. No one is discrediting any team, we are simply saying that 2015 is NOT recent. Don’t take comments personally or as some assault on your favorite team, you very clearly missed the point and the reason people were pushing back on his comments.

      Reply
  10. JuanUribeJazzHands

    1 month ago

    Which team?

    Royals get an OFer who at least might starting quality

    Brewers get a very solid reliever

    I do agree with others who say Brewers need to get more

    10
    Reply
  11. RoyalsFanAmongWolves

    1 month ago

    I would’ve thrown in James MacArthur as well

    Reply
    • royals fan

      1 month ago

      What’s up with you and James MacArthur?

      5
      Reply
      • RoyalsFanAmongWolves

        1 month ago

        he was injured almost half the season and they reached to arbitration with him, which I find ridiculous. I would’ve just nontendered him.

        Reply
    • smkelly1970

      1 month ago

      book ’em, Danno!

      Reply
  12. byronuberalles

    1 month ago

    This seems…optimistic for the Brewers. Can Hook figure this guy out?

    1
    Reply
    • Russell Branyan

      1 month ago

      Looking at his savant, love how all those grounders will play with their infield

      6
      Reply
  13. Russell Branyan

    1 month ago

    Think Collins turned into a pumpkin late last year, but rooting for him.

    5
    Reply
  14. BuckMcDuck

    1 month ago

    Rare jobber for jobber trade.

    1
    Reply
    • TokingPineTar

      1 month ago

      Collins just finished 4th in RotY votes with a near .800 OPS, and apparently has good defensive versatility. Wouldn’t really call him a “jobber” yet after such a strong rookie season.

      2
      Reply
  15. ShaqFoo

    1 month ago

    That’s it? Just Zerpa..? what’s missing?

    3
    Reply
    • RoyalsFanAmongWolves

      1 month ago

      they forgot to mention the lifetime supply of burnt ends from one of the local barbecue places anytime the Brewers are in town so every other year

      4
      Reply
  16. Unclemike1526

    1 month ago

    I’m pretty sure there’s more in it for the Brewers. More to come usually means just that. Still those are 2 pretty nice P/U’s for the Royals if the return is just Minor Leaguers and Zerpa.

    2
    Reply
  17. SuperDuper

    1 month ago

    Next season the Cubs are going to finish above the Brewers because of this.

    Reply
  18. cheesemanforever

    1 month ago

    Suggesting that everyone read Curt Hogg (beat writer) analyzing the trade. Mears’ effectiveness diminished to the point where he was left off the playoff rosters. Collins had a better first half, and there is plenty of OF depth. The Crew needed a high-leverage lefty alongside Koenig. (And if anybody doesn’t trust Matt Arnold by now…)

    8
    Reply
    • colonel flagg

      1 month ago

      Collins’ defense in left was hard to watch in the second half and he had all of 10 postseason plate appearances. Despite this I hope he still has more to give as I always liked the Royals and hope they do well.
      Mears was more hittable as the season wore on. May have been due to overuse during the first three months, but worth considering nonetheless.

      3
      Reply
  19. Michael Chaney

    1 month ago

    At the time of this comment, the Brewers’ return is only reported to be Zerpa. Hopefully there’s more to it because I don’t get it otherwise.

    Collins seems like a reasonable bet to take a step back next year and moving forward, but at this point even his floor suggests he’s a major leaguer and probably a fourth outfielder at worst. If he builds off his breakout last year, he’s an everyday player controllable for several years. And Mears alone might be better than Zerpa right now.

    Reply
    • sadmarinersfan

      1 month ago

      I think the brewers are doing the right thing getting rid of Collins now, he feels like a lock to take serious steps back in the coming seasons and probably will never come close to what he did this year. Zerpa has a lot of the things that front offices drool over when looking for breakout relievers, and is younger than both Collins and mears. Mears is solid but the brewers have proven time and time again that they can manufacture major league caliber pitching at will, so at the end of the day he is fairly expendable. My guess is the brewers really liked what they see in Zerpa and identified the royals OF need, which would fit them hoping to sell high on Collins

      2
      Reply
      • Champs64

        1 month ago

        I agree. Everyone must admit that the Brewers have done a great job in getting the most out of a player. They identify their needs and place the player in a situation to excel better than most teams. If they had a greater payroll level they would be one of the best franchises competing today.

        Reply
        • WadeBoggsWildRide

          1 month ago

          I think they are one of the best even with their limitations.

          Reply
  20. Salzilla

    1 month ago

    Well then, Brewers rumors were more than that! Good for the Royals.

    1
    Reply
  21. CaseyAbell

    1 month ago

    Zerpa can’t be the only return to Milwaukee. Must be more involved.

    1
    Reply
  22. Wiscokid#frackle

    1 month ago

    That’s why their is still more to come. Collins alone is worth more than Zerpa. Mears is also better than Zerpa, my guess is one of KC young starting pitchers plus another minor piece going Milwaukees way. Unless its just Cameron back then its a good deal for both

    Reply
    • RoyalsFanAmongWolves

      1 month ago

      we are not trading Noah Cameron he’s from the area near Kansas City. Grew up a Royal’s fan. He’s not going anywhere.

      1
      Reply
    • Cardsfanatik redux

      1 month ago

      Lol. They’re not trading Noah Cameron for this package. Are you serious? Put the drugs away.

      1
      Reply
    • Avory

      1 month ago

      I gotta believe you don’t watch much baseball outside of the Brewers.

      You couldn’t have possibly been more off with your assessment of the trade value of these principals.

      1
      Reply
    • Bronxlou

      1 month ago

      This isn’t a rumor. The trade is official, reported on MLB.com:
      Milwaukee Brewers traded LF Isaac Collins and RHP Nick Mears to Kansas City Royals for LHP Angel Zerpa.
      No one else is going to the Brewers.
      Collins is a good get for the Royals. In his first full season, he put up 2.1 WAR, 118 OPS+. The Royals didn’t have an OF who put up even 2.0 WAR last season. But Collins was a 27 year old rookie. Unclear whether he just had his best season.
      Obviously the Brewers see something in Zerpa. But it’s not obvious. He’s pitched to an over 1.3 WAR and strikes out less than one an inning.

      1
      Reply
  23. xpensivewinos

    1 month ago

    I’m still not ruling out an Amos Oits comeback…….

    5
    Reply
    • colonel flagg

      1 month ago

      Nori Aoki. Only because he’s younger.

      2
      Reply
    • CaptainSky

      1 month ago

      My favorite player of all time. When I played summer league baseball I signed up with my first name as Amos and my number was 26. My coach didn’t know my real first name until the season was almost over. Lol

      2
      Reply
  24. dlj0527

    1 month ago

    I misjudged how much OF depth Brewers had to spare. Good trade.

    4
    Reply
  25. CaseyAbell

    1 month ago

    Reporting on the web – yeah, I know all the usual caveats – makes it sound like Milwaukee only gets Zerpa. Kinda hard to believe but the Brewers must think they know more than the numbers.

    3
    Reply
  26. enricopallazzo

    1 month ago

    In Matt Arnold we trust.

    Zerpa will probably have a 2.84 era in 2026 as a key piece, Collins 2025 might be the best season he ever has. Or one of the two will be correct.

    2
    Reply
  27. jqks

    1 month ago

    This looks like a really good deal from the Royals perspective.

    I hope this one shuts down the other deals the Royals seemed to be be considering that would have involved trading away Ragans.

    3
    Reply
  28. mack423

    1 month ago

    Why do the Brewers do this?

    Someone in the comments here last week said Zerpa should’ve been DFA’d three years ago haha

    Reply
  29. Sunsnsnakes

    1 month ago

    What? A little odd. Did other teams know about this and just offer nothing?

    Reply
  30. Ramos

    1 month ago

    Didn’t the Royals also trade for Misner earlier in the off-season. So they’ve gotten 3 new outfielders.

    1
    Reply
  31. Alfred E Neuman

    1 month ago

    Akil Baddoo. Haven’t heard that name in a couple of years.

    Reply
  32. Diggydugler

    1 month ago

    I guess Zerpa is young….

    Reply
    • RoyalsFanAmongWolves

      1 month ago

      26 i think

      Reply
  33. Homerunbunt

    1 month ago

    I’m ok with this, except now KC really needs a good lefty on the bullpen. Maybe that’s why they gave up Zerpa, as they have another deal in the works. Raising the OF floor has been accomplished.

    Still a chance they get someone else for OF, maybe a 3 team trade. On locked on Royals, someone proposed a trade of:
    KC trades Bubic to Seattle
    Seattle trades Randy to KC, Castillo to Boston
    Boston trades Durran to Seattle

    I think that’s what it was, maybe not. But something similar. Either way, hope this isn’t it. Maybe they’re banking on Jac to do well and Carter Jensen plays some OF.

    Reply
    • Missourifarmboy

      1 month ago

      That would be the stupidest trade of the decade . I assume that was proposed by a juvenile Mariners fan .

      Reply
      • Oddball Hererra

        1 month ago

        It certainly does feel like a “it’s a good trade because it’s guys I don’t want for guys I do” fantasy proposal

        Reply
  34. hoof hearted

    1 month ago

    Nailed it, in another post about the Brewers willing to trade OF’s. I named Kansas City as a team of need

    1
    Reply
  35. tomjef

    1 month ago

    I dunno. Both are 35+ players, extremely average at best. Collins a 9th rounder by COL, now 28 yo, statcast page is blue except for BB% and chase%, doesn’t barrel, a below average OF who is probably a decent defender.. Can;t imagine he fits in MIL future.

    Zerpa, good FB, good GB, bad WHIP. Lotsa lefties in MIL pen now..

    Not sure this helps either team, really. KC is so hurting for OF that it makes sense for them, but be careful what you wish for.

    Definitely more to come.

    2
    Reply
    • kentonwebb

      1 month ago

      kentonwebb average would’ve looked really good in the 2025 Royals outfield

      Reply
  36. tangerinepony

    1 month ago

    Collins crapped the bed in the month of September, and he pissed in it in the month of April, but between May and August he did alright. There ya go royals fans

    Reply
  37. wtfCheeseheadChuck

    1 month ago

    Just posted a rant about how I couldn’t fathom Collins being traded…. Ugh first trade since feyeriesen/Rasmussen for adames that I really haven’t liked (the main reason I disliked that trade is cause I grew up with feyeriesen…. That trade turned out to help the Crew of course) Collins is going to be an on base/steals/doubles/triples machine in Kansas City (u lucky….) he’ll most likely quickly become a fan favorite, Mears has one of the more effective sliders and when he’s healthy he’s very u underrated, can see the Crew are expecting a big step forward for this lefty, getting to work with hook/and he’ll have that superb defense behind him while he gets all those grounders…. I see what the Crew did here, but they overpaid…. Perkins/Mears should’ve been the hard line…. I guess they value perk higher than I thought and in my estimation greatly undervalued Collins…. He won them several games last year, and you can say he faded but look what he produced as a line particularly against lefties, if he’d started slow and finished strong with the same numbers his rookie season, well it’d be seen as a rousing success, which obviously it was regardless.. don’t currently like this deal but with the Crews success at identifying pitchers to bring in and the successes they’ve had, well I’d better give them some benefit of doubt here but, ouch…..They seemingly got kinda fleeced..

    2
    Reply
    • tomjef

      1 month ago

      No doubt he is an upgrade for KC, who now has 2 new OFs this week, as they have terrible OFs. Color me not convinced on Collins upside. Time will tell. You are right that KC park factors favor his game. But that game doesn’t play in MI with negative park factors except for HR. Plus, the guy is 28….and just made it to the bigs. Can sometimes work for sluggers…..but he is not that. I mean, he has a projected 234 BA with no power. To me, to get anything for him is a plus

      Reply
      • wtfCheeseheadChuck

        1 month ago

        Didn’t they project him for 9-10hr over those just over 200abs…. That’s power, he hits a lot of doubles and he’ll stretch more for triples in KC, with how he gets on base and he’ll slug at least around .400, well he’s good for a solid mid .750ops-.780-.790ops…. With his speed on the bases+that Ops and his plus defense….that’s way more upside in the OF then KC had going last year that’s for sure.. he’s a 3+war player over 150+games and that’s upside at league min for more than likely two more years maybe one but controllable for five seasons…. That’s upside and value and mears should be able to replicate the numbers that lefty they sent to the Crew if not slightly better so really that’s lots of value and upside in that deal for KC….

        Reply
    • RoyalsFanAmongWolves

      1 month ago

      Perkins was already briefly with the Royals system we traded for him a while back when we traded somebody to the Nationals I think it was. .

      1
      Reply
      • Ezpkns34

        1 month ago

        Kelvin Herrera trade

        1
        Reply
        • RoyalsFanAmongWolves

          1 month ago

          thank you I saw that after I looked him up.

          Reply
  38. Ezpkns34

    1 month ago

    Zerpa is an upgrade over Mears, but seems like you could get a better upgrade when adding Collins with him

    1
    Reply
    • wtfCheeseheadChuck

      1 month ago

      No kidding, the crew must fancy him with that velo and the ground ball numbers I’d bet….,

      Reply
  39. Chris Koch

    1 month ago

    Seems underwhelming on the Brewers end. Best of luck to Collins when not facing Milw.

    Like Priester last season, crew must see a pitch variety to make Zerba more successful.
    I dunno how good KC’s infield defense was last year. Milw may be drooling at that ground ball rate. A 0 degree avg launch angle in 25 is wild.

    1
    Reply
    • Jumbotron

      1 month ago

      Garcia and Witt Jr both won gold gloves this year so the left side was one of the best in baseball for the Royals. Vinnie P. Had flashes of good defense at first. Second base was a a revolving door of very average defense especially from India when he was out there.

      Reply
  40. Rsox

    1 month ago

    I like it for the Royals. Collins is versatile and is still a better hitter than most of their Outfielders. As a Switch Hitter they can play the matchups with him, the other Outfielders, and even Jonathan India

    1
    Reply
  41. wtfCheeseheadChuck

    1 month ago

    Collins has underrated bat speed and arm strength and is sneaky fast and gets great grades for his range in the OF…. 90% in whiff rate and what 98% in chase…. Is actually 65% in bat speed….geez The guy is actually freaky strong and could tap into more power, he is definitely one of those short/strong “sob’s”….

    1
    Reply
  42. GarryHarris

    1 month ago

    Why add Akil Badoo?

    Reply
    • HBan22

      1 month ago

      He’s the definition of a AAAA player.

      Reply
  43. Warren Spahn

    1 month ago

    Collins was fun guy to watch play, got the bat on the ball and the guy hustled. Mears for this KC guy should have been straight up, I think the brewers outsmarted themselves on this one.
    One of these years the brewers on going to find themselves on the outside looking in with the dumpster diving every year.

    Reply
    • cheesemanforever

      1 month ago

      Most experts thought the Crew was dumpster diving when they “overpaid” for Priester. Matt Arnold may make a mistake or two along the way, but he’s the reigning two time Exec of the Year for a reason.

      1
      Reply
  44. johnnynoitall

    1 month ago

    I assume all Rockies fans are high. Only way to really stomach that team.

    1
    Reply
  45. SupremeZeus

    1 month ago

    Brewers self scouted and see Collins on the Gordon Beckham trajectory.

    2
    Reply
  46. sandytolan

    1 month ago

    Matt Arnold has won two consecutive MLB Executive of the Year awards for a reason. And one of them is that he makes “questionable” trades that turn out to be huge positives for the Brewers. See Priester, Quinn.

    2
    Reply
  47. Oddball Hererra

    1 month ago

    Think Collins is ultimately a player a good team wants as a 4th OF, and the Brewers just unloaded him before everyone figured that out

    2
    Reply
  48. Player Formly known as Logjammer D'Baggagecling

    1 month ago

    Good riddance to Pita Issac Collins.

    Reply
  49. Chisox378

    1 month ago

    Decent batter is Collins.

    Reply
    • WadeBoggsWildRide

      1 month ago

      Yoda?

      Reply
  50. Steve(shs22)

    1 month ago

    Bad trade by the Brewers unless they believe Zerpa is their 8th inning guy and possible future closer.

    Reply
  51. Steve(shs22)

    1 month ago

    ZERPA As a fire man , x-man or 7th inning set up guy

    The royals win this trade easily

    Reply

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