Isaac Collins

It would be unfair to label Mears a throw-in, but he clearly profiles as the ancillary piece in the trade. The 29-year-old middle reliever is coming off the strongest season of his career where he finished with a 3.49 ERA -- 3.86 FIP -- across 56 2/3 innings. He'll operate in middle relief for Kansas City and can be safely ignored for fantasy purposes.

The trade is now official. It appears looks a bit lopsided on the surface with Collins coming off a fourth-place finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting and Mears providing steady middle relief last season. Zerpa heads to Milwaukee after posting a serviceable 3.97 ERA -- 4.13 FIP -- and 19.7 percent strikeout rate over 177 innings for Kansas City since 2021. If history is any guide, the Brewers must believe there's more in the tank -- and they've earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to squeezing value out of overlooked relief arms. Brewers general manager Matt Arnold told reporters that they're open to considering the 26-year-old southpaw as a starter and have been trying to acquire him for a long time. The possibility that he'll be stretched out as a starter provides some legitimate intrigue for fantasy purposes heading into next spring.

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 Royals traded left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa to the Brewers for versatile outfielder Isaac Collins and right-hander Nick Mears.

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.…