After spending parts of the last two MLB seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, outfielder Isaac Collins was traded to the Kansas City Royals alongside pitcher Nick Mears in exchange for Angel Zarpa.

Collins finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting last season after batting .263 and recording nine home runs, 54 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. 

Following the trade, the 28-year-old shared his thoughts on his move to Kansas City and what he brings to the table (h/t Anne Rogers of MLB.com).

“I’m not necessarily going to have 100 RBIs every year,” Collins said with a laugh. “But I’m going to get on base for the big dogs and have them knock me in.”

What Isaac Collins Brings to Kansas City

Collins is a bit of a do-it-all player, and he will look to contribute to the Royals' success in every area.

The Minnesota native spent most of his time in left field last season, but he also played right field, third base, second base, and was a designated hitter in three games, which signified that he can make an impact just with his bat. Furthermore, he is also a switch-hitter who recorded a .368 on-base percentage last season. He is a threat to get on and steal a base, even if he is not much of a home-run hitter.

Addressing their outfield was one of the Royals' top priorities heading into the offseason, and that was especially true after Mike Yastrzemski signed with the Atlanta Braves.

Earlier in the offseason, Kansas City signed outfielder Lane Thomas to a one-year, $5.25 million contract. Though he can be a solid pickup, this is far from a needle-mover for the team, and it was fair to say that they needed to make another move to improve their outfield.

It remains to be seen exactly how much of an impact Collins can make with the Royals. However, it is clear that he already has fans within the organization, specifically general manager J.J. Picollo, who praised his versatility.

“He’s the type of player that we value,” Picollo said. “Versatility, the speed component, there’s a defensive component. Ball in play, on base. It’s a very well-rounded player that I think is what our offense needs. He’ll fit very well.” 

Last season, the Royals went 82-80 and finished third in the AL Central standings. Additionally, they were five games back of a Wild Card spot after making it to the ALDS in 2024. There is a lot of talent on Kansas City's roster. But as the team looks to bounce back and make it back to the playoffs, it will have to bolster its roster as much as possible. Adding someone like Collins, who can contribute in multiple areas, could help the team get things back on track.