Breaking MLB Trade: Brewers & Royals Swing A 2-for-1 Deal

Neither the Milwaukee Brewers nor the Kansas City Royals will be big players in the free agent pool, but the two have gotten together for a trade on Saturday. The Royals receive speedy outfielder Isaac Collins and righty Nick Mears in exchange for hard-throwing lefty reliever Angel Zerpa.

Royals reportedly acquire OF Isaac Collins and RHP Nick Mears from the Milwaukee Brewers for LHP Angel Zerpa, per multiple reports including MLB's @Feinsand. pic.twitter.com/xrPq4uj8Gr
— MLB (@MLB) December 13, 2025

Zerpa, 26, heads to Milwaukee after a career-high 64 innings for the Royals in 2025. He posted a 4.18 ERA and is under team control through 2028. He features an overpowering sinker that can run up to 99 mph, to induce ground balls and strikeouts. He could earn a high-leverage role in the Brewers' bullpen.

Collins finished 4th in NL ROY balloting; he heads to the Royals

But the Brew Crew pay a high cost. Collins, 28, who had a breakout run as a rookie in Milwaukee through July and August, takes his dynamic on-base skills to KC. He posted a .368 on-base pct. on the season and stole 16 bases in 372 at-bats in '25. He finished 4th in Rookie of the Year balloting in the NL.

Mears, 29, is a mid-leverage relief arm with solid command. He had a nice season, with a 3.49 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP‚ his best year by far in his six-year career.

The Brewers won 97 games last season, for the best record in baseball. But they fell short in the NLCS to the eventual World Champion LA Dodgers.

The Royals finished five games back of the final Wild Card berth in the American League.