ARLINGTON, Texas _ Two days before the non-waiver trade deadline, the Royals sent outfielder Brett Eibner to the Oakland A's in exchange for center fielder Billy Burns.
In making the deal, the Royals acquired a cost-controllable center fielder with major league experience in exchange for a 27-year-old who made his big league debut this season.
Burns, 26, is a career .273 hitter in 211 games for the A's. He batted .234 with a .270 on-base percentage this season. He will report to Class AAA Omaha. He will be eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.
Eibner, 27, was batting .231 with a .286 on-base percentage and three homers in 26 games for the Royals this season. He was optioned to Class AAA Omaha on Friday to make room for Lorenzo Cain on the 25-man roster.