After a solid rookie season with the Brewers, Milwaukee is reportedly trading outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed reliever Nick Mears to the Kansas City Royals, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.In exchange, the Brewers are receiving left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa.The 28-year-old outfielder Collins finished fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. He finished the 2025 season with a .263 batting average, .779 OPS, 9 home runs and 54 RBI in 130 games. Milwaukee selected Collins off waivers from the Colorado Rockies in 2022.Mears had some big moments for the Brewers out of the bullpen in 2025 as well. He finished this past season with a 3.49 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings pitched in 63 appearances out of the bullpen. He allowed 22 earned runs during the regular season. Mears made three scoreless appearances for the crew in the 2025 postseason (1 2/3 innings pitched). Milwaukee also acquired Mears from the Rockies. In 2024, Milwaukee traded Yujanyer Herrera and Bradley Blalock for Mears. In his two years with the Brewers, Mears posted a 4.17 ERA.Collins isn’t eligible for salary arbitration until 2028 and will be under club control until 2031. Mears is arbitration-eligible this year and can be a free agent after the 2027 season.Zerpa has been with the Royals since 2021. In his five-year career, he’s recorded a 3.97 ERA. Last season, Zerpa appeared in 69 games and posted a 4.18 ERA in 64 2/3 innings pitched, while striking out 58 batters and allowing 30 earned runs.Zerpa will be under team control through the 2028 season.Milwaukee was lacking a lefty reliever, as other lefties, Aaron Ashby and DL Hall, could be candidates for a starting rotation spot if they don’t return to the bullpen.Brewers fans are probably frustrated seeing Collins leave after a great rookie season, but the team will at one point next season have a surplus of options in the outfield with Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Blake Perkins and even fliers on Brandon Lockridge and their most recent signing, Akil Baddoo. Still a lot to be determined in spring training for the Brewers.

MILWAUKEE —

After a solid rookie season with the Brewers, Milwaukee is reportedly trading outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed reliever Nick Mears to the Kansas City Royals, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

In exchange, the Brewers are receiving left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa.

The 28-year-old outfielder Collins finished fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. He finished the 2025 season with a .263 batting average, .779 OPS, 9 home runs and 54 RBI in 130 games. Milwaukee selected Collins off waivers from the Colorado Rockies in 2022.

Mears had some big moments for the Brewers out of the bullpen in 2025 as well. He finished this past season with a 3.49 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings pitched in 63 appearances out of the bullpen. He allowed 22 earned runs during the regular season. Mears made three scoreless appearances for the crew in the 2025 postseason (1 2/3 innings pitched). Milwaukee also acquired Mears from the Rockies. In 2024, Milwaukee traded Yujanyer Herrera and Bradley Blalock for Mears. In his two years with the Brewers, Mears posted a 4.17 ERA.

Collins isn’t eligible for salary arbitration until 2028 and will be under club control until 2031. Mears is arbitration-eligible this year and can be a free agent after the 2027 season.

Zerpa has been with the Royals since 2021. In his five-year career, he’s recorded a 3.97 ERA. Last season, Zerpa appeared in 69 games and posted a 4.18 ERA in 64 2/3 innings pitched, while striking out 58 batters and allowing 30 earned runs.

Zerpa will be under team control through the 2028 season.

Milwaukee was lacking a lefty reliever, as other lefties, Aaron Ashby and DL Hall, could be candidates for a starting rotation spot if they don’t return to the bullpen.

Brewers fans are probably frustrated seeing Collins leave after a great rookie season, but the team will at one point next season have a surplus of options in the outfield with Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Blake Perkins and even fliers on Brandon Lockridge and their most recent signing, Akil Baddoo. Still a lot to be determined in spring training for the Brewers.