MLB PLAYER NEWS

Royals land Zobrist in deal with A’s

The Sports Xchange

July 28, 2015 at 2:02 pm.

Ben Zobrist is heading to Kansas City. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

Ben Zobrist is heading to Kansas City. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore pulled off his second major trade of the month Tuesday, acquiring Ben Zobrist from the Oakland Athletics.

The Royals landed the 34-year-old by giving up one of their top prospects, left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea. The 34th overall pick in 2013 has 39 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings in 2015 and 185 strikeouts in 153 1/3 total minor league innings.

Kansas City entered play Tuesday with the best record in the American League and bolstered a 2014 World Series roster with additions of right-handed ace Johnny Cueto and Zobrist.

Cueto will debut for the Royals on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays and gives the team a bona fide ace at the front of the starting rotation. Since James Shields left for the San Diego Padres in free agency, the Royals had a solid starting staff but not a true No. 1. Cueto answers that problem.

Zobrist can play almost any position, and primarily was used at second base and left field with the A’s.

With All-Star left fielder Alex Gordon out until September with a groin injury, Zobrist figures to get most of his time in left, then shuttle between positions when Gordon is deemed healthy. Having Zobrist would also let the Royals use Gordon as a designated hitter to give him occasional rest.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs were reportedly in the bidding for Zobrist.