Braves acquire impact defensive infielder for next-to-nothing

Despite having the best record in baseball this season, the Atlanta Braves are still not satisfied.

The Braves announced Sunday that they have acquired versatile infielder Nicky Lopez in a trade with the Kansas City Royals. Kansas City lands lefty reliever Taylor Hearn in return.

Lopez, 28, is a savvy defensive player capable of manning multiple infield positions. He is also a solid contact hitter with respectable plate discipline and the ability to steal bags (39 over the last two-and-a-half seasons). While Lopez has been having an off year at the plate with a crummy .210 batting average, he did hit .300 with a .744 OPS for the Royals just two years ago.

That is a nice, low-risk trade for the 67-36 Braves ahead of the deadline, especially for just the price of Hearn – who had made only one appearance for the club since being acquired a week prior for cash considerations. Lopez has two years left of team control and could be the latest instance of Kansas City’s trash becoming Atlanta’s treasure.