A's trade speedy Burns to Royals
The Kansas City Royals added another lethal weapon on the basepaths to a team that already includes speedsters Jarrod Dyson and Alcides Escobar, acquiring outfielder Billy Burns from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for outfielder Brett Eibner, the Royals announced Saturday.
"I’m just kind of getting over the shock of it," Burns told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle by telephone. "I never think of that stuff happening, I’m still processing everything. It’s exciting to have a new opportunity, but I’m sad to say goodbye to all my friends."
Burns was recently optioned to Triple-A Nashville on July 15 after struggling to a .234/.270/.303 slash line with 12 RBIs for the Bay Area squad, adding 14 stolen bases in 17 attempts.
"I wasn’t hitting the way I wanted to," Burns said. "I understood when I was sent down that performance went into it. We are all subject to being sent down or moved if we’re not performing."
The 26-year-old sped his way onto the MLB scene in 2015 after swiping 26 bags for the Athletics, while hitting .294/.334/.392 and entered this season as the team's leadoff hitter before scuffling.
Burns is arbitration eligible for the first time in 2018.
Eibner, 27, made his MLB debut with the Royals on May 27 and owns a .231/.286/.423 slash line with three home runs and 10 RBIs.
The former second-round pick was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday after the Royals activated Lorenzo Cain from the disabled list.