OAKLAND, Calif. — The Kansas City Royals have made another big addition for the season's stretch run, acquiring utilityman Ben Zobrist and cash from the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday for right-hander Aaron Brooks and minor league left-hander Sean Manaea.
The 34-year-old Zobrist, an infielder and outfielder, batted .268 with six home runs, 20 doubles, two triples and 33 RBIs in 67 games for the A's, who are in last place in the AL West after three straight playoff seasons.
He joins a Royals team that leads the AL Central a season after beating Oakland in the one-game wild card on the way to the franchise's first World Series in 29 years and a seven-game loss to the reigning champion San Francisco Giants.