Kansas City Royals not selling; buy speedy OF Billy Burns from Oakland.
Okay, so technically this isn’t your garden variety deadline deal. The Royals get Billy Burns with an eye toward the future. And with all of the injuries and ineffectiveness in their outfield this year, Burns will help if they dust themselves off and get back in this race. Here are the particulars of the deal:
Burns has struggled with the A’s this year, hitting only .234 with no homers, 12 RBI, and 14 steals in 274 major league at bats. It is certainly a disappointment after his breakout 2015 season in which Burn his .294 with five homers, 42 RBI, 26 steals, and 70 runs scored. Maybe the change of scenery will do him good.
The Royals sent Burns to AAA Omaha, but all three regular outfielders (Jarrod Dyson, Lorenzo Cain, and Alex Gordon) have spent time on the DL this year. Burns is a better all-around replacement than Brett Eibner. It will also provide them some more speed off the bench if Dyson struggles or gets hurt.
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Eibner is the kind of player the A’s covet. He struggled at the major league level, but he hit .288 at AAA Omaha this year and had a high on base percentage. He could get a full time job very soon if the A’s move Josh Reddick in the next 24 hours. I wouldn’t go add Eibner just yet, but if Reddick is moved, he is worth a shot in deeper leagues that count OBP or OPS.
When Burns gets the call to Kansas City, he should be on the radar of anyone in need of speed. The Royals likely won’t send for him until they are going to play him. If they do, he can have a fantasy impact as he proved last season. He is worth keeping an eye on.
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