"The Royals entered the offseason in pursuit of two outfielders - ideally adding one apiece via free agency and trade. They accomplished that last week, signing Lane Thomas to a $5.25MM deal and bringing in Isaac Collins in a trade with Milwaukee. Collins played mostly left field for the Brewers. He's loosely penciled in there for now, while Thomas provides a right-handed hitting complement to and Jac Caglianone in center and right field, respectively."
"The switch-hitting Collins has a very patient approach. Kansas City ranked 22nd in on-base percentage (.309), and only the Rockies had a lower walk rate than their 7.2% clip. Collins provides a different skillet and generally raises the lineup's floor, but his limited power means he doesn't have a huge ceiling as an everyday left fielder. The Royals aren't going to be in the market for a star outfielder in free agency, yet they're kicking the tires on a more impactful trade possibility."
"Unsurprisingly, the Royals haven't closed the door on the possibility of adding another outfielder. Collins has plenty of minor league infield experience - mostly at second with a handful of starts at third base as well. President of baseball operations J.J. Picollo indicated that while the Royals expect him to play mostly outfield, he has enough defensive versatility for the front office to keep their options open (link via Anne Rogers of MLB.com)."
Royals signed Lane Thomas to a $5.25MM deal and acquired Isaac Collins from the Brewers to address their outfield needs, slotting Collins primarily in left and Thomas as a right-handed complement. The group still lacks a proven offensive ceiling: Thomas is coming off injuries, Jac Caglianone struggled in his first 62 MLB games, Isbel profiles as a glove-first center fielder, and Collins' breakout came as a 27-year-old rookie with limited power. Collins adds defensive versatility and a patient, switch-hitting approach that raises the lineup's floor and helps a team that ranked 22nd in OBP. Kansas City remains open to pursuing a more impactful outfielder via trade.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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