CLEVELAND
A Royals official gathered a collection of letters and numbers, preparing to stamp them onto yet another new jersey. The number was 18. The letters, jumbled together like a Scrabble board, form the latest star to join this club’s expanding constellation: Z-O-B-R-I-S-T.
Two days after acquiring Reds ace Johnny Cueto, the Royals completed a second blockbuster, this one recouping two-time All-Star Ben Zobrist from Oakland in exchange for pitching prospects Sean Manaea and Aaron Brooks. Kansas City received $2 million in the deal from Oakland, according to a person familiar with the situation. Already owners of the American League’s best record, the Royals have shown little inclination to coast in October.