MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan reports that the Royals have traded first baseman Lucas Duda to the Braves in exchange for cash considerations.
Duda, 32, has hit .242/.311/.415 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI across 341 plate appearances for the Royals this season. He has a huge platoon split -- .839 OPS vs. righties, .642 vs. lefties -- so manager Brian Snitker will be playing the matchups with Duda.
Duda is a free agent after the season, so this is strictly a rental of a bench bat for the Braves. He could occasionally draw a start at first base to spell Freddie Freeman, particularly towards the end of September if the Braves have already wrapped up a postseason spot.
