Royals acquire Jonny Gomes from Braves

The Royals have swung a deal to acquire outfielder Jonny Gomes and cash considerations from the Braves in exchange for minor-league infielder Luis Valenzuela, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

Gomes, 34, has been the subject of trade rumors for the last two months due to his reputation as a solid bench bat and clubhouse leader. He cleared waivers earlier this month, making him eligible to be traded to any club, and will now head to Kansas City for the stretch run.

Gomes joins Ben Zobrist, Lorenzo Cain, Alex Rios and Jarrod Dyson in the Royals' outfield mix, and will likely see at-bats against left-handed pitching in September and October. He will head to the postseason for the fourth straight season and the fifth time in the last seven years after providing contributions for the Reds, Athletics, and Red Sox in recent playoff runs.

Gomes has hit .223/.327/.368 with seven homers this year, but is regarded around the game as an above-average bench bat against lefties. He will be controllable for $3 million next season if he attains 99 more plate appearances this season, but is more likely to hit free agency.

Valenzuela, 22, has experience at second base, shortstop and third base, and has been in the Royals organization for four professional seasons. He has hit .364/.385/.502 with four homers on the season in 55 games split between Rookie-level Idaho Falls and Single-A Lexington. He was not ranked by MLB.com among the Royals' top thirty prospects at the time of the trade.