The Kansas City Royals have struck again. Two days after landing Cincinnati Reds' ace Johnny Cueto, general manager Dayton Moore acquired one of the most sought-after names on the trade market this afternoon.
Oakland Athletics' utility man Ben Zobrist is reportedly going to Kansas City, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Source: #Royals getting #Athletics' Zobrist.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2015
Jane Lee of MLB.com was the first to mention Oakland's discussions and that a deal was imminent.
Sounds like the A's are deep in Zobrist talks and something could happen soon.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) July 28, 2015
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports says the A's will get prospect left-hander Sean Manaea and rookie right-hander Aaron Brooks from the Royals in the trade. According to Baseball America, Manaea is the Royals' No. 2 overall prospect. The 23-year-old is 8-9 with a 3.23 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 185 strikeouts in 32 starts in the minors since last year.
On the other hand, Brooks is considered a rookie because he's been up with the team in 2014 and 2015, but he's spent the overwhelming majority of his career in the minors. The 25-year-old is 6-5 with a 3.71 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 92 strikeouts in 18 games (17 starts) at Triple-A Omaha this year.
manaea and brooks are believed to be the package for zobrist
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 28, 2015
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick confirmed that moments later.
Ben Zobrist trade for Brooks and Manaea another sign #Royals are in go for it mode. Huge pickup for KC.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 28, 2015
The deal has been confirmed by official Twitter accounts of the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals.
#Athletics trade Ben Zobrist and cash to Kansas City for RHP Aaron Brooks and minor league LHP Sean Manaea
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) July 28, 2015
#Royals announce that they've acquired INF/OF Ben Zobrist from Oakland in exchange for P Aaron Brooks and Sean Manaea.
— Royals (@Royals) July 28, 2015
