The Milwaukee Brewers finished the 2025 MLB season with the best record in baseball (97-65) and made it all the way to the National League Championship Series in a year where many so-called experts predicted them to finish third (or worse) in their division. In order for them to accomplish what they did, they needed their star players to perform as expected, as well as get unexpected contributions from relatively unknown or little-though-of players.
Two such players that played big roles at one point or another were outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed reliever Nick Mears. Both made the Opening Day roster out of Spring Training, and both were crucial to Milwaukee’s regular season success.
And now both will be playing for the Kansas City Royals.
The Milwaukee Brewers traded Nick Mears and Isaac Collins to the Kansas City Royals
Earlier on Saturday night, it was reported that Collins and Mears had both been traded to the Royals in exchange for left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa, who was 5-2 with a 4.19 ERA in 69 appearances for Kansas City last season.
Brewers fans, who had become fond of both Collins and Mears, were not too happy:
WHAT??? WHY??? NO PLEASE TAKE IT BACK
???????????? https://t.co/ChSEqYQ9Ug
— Calvin Wille (@CalvinWille) December 13, 2025
First reaction: The Brewers probably could have gotten more for Isaac Collins … not to mention a bat/arm package duo. https://t.co/LCLpuyzbtj
— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) December 13, 2025
who will warm up in the brewers bullpen now https://t.co/6TGASpMN7O
— reilly 🐀 (@RustyGoomba) December 13, 2025
As good as Collins (fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting) and Mears were early and in the middle of the season, however, the fact of the matter is that Collins did not play much down the stretch and cooled off considerably after August. Mears, meanwhile, was left off the NLCS roster.
Indeed, Collins was going to have a hard time finding playing time anyway with both Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick manning the corner outfield spots. Mears also is out of minor league options and in his last season of club control.
Zerpa, on the other hand, has options remaining and three more years of club control.
The deal makes sense for Milwaukee.
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