Braves and Royals Have Strong Ties

The connection between the Atlanta Braves and the Kansas City Royals continues.

This weekend the Braves picked up former St. Louis Cardinal Rick Ankiel and former Chicago Cub Kyle Farnsworth in a trade with the Royals.

The connection between the two teams is significant with many former Braves listed on the Royal's roster.

On a good day watching a Royals game can be looking at the ghost of Braves past.

The first connection is Ned Yost, the manager of the Royals.

Yost is a former third base coach for the Braves.

Third baseman Wilson Betemit was signed by the Braves in 1996. He made his major league debut with the Braves on Sept. 18, 2001.

Catcher Brayan Pena was signed by the Braves in 2000 and debuted with the Braves on May 23, 2005.

Outfielder Gregor Blanco signed with the Braves in 2000 and made his debut on March 30, 2008. He joined the Royals this weekend as part of the Ankiel- Farnsworth trade.

The Royal's pitching staff is loaded with Braves ties.

Anthony Lerew signed with the Braves in 2001 and debuted Sept. 4, 2005.

Kyle Davies was drafted by the Braves in 2001 and debuted on May 21, 2005.

Bruce Chen signed with the Braves in 1993 and debuted on Sept. 2, 1998.

Juan Cruz pitched for the Braves in 2004.

Roman Colon was signed by the Braves in 1995 and debuted Aug. 21, 2004.

Jesse Chavez joins the Royals as part of the Ankiel Farnsworth trade.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think nine players with ties to another team demonstrates an interesting bond between the two.

With this kind of history between the teams who knows what the future holds.

Maybe an aging Chipper Jones could go to the Royals and finish his career as a designated-hitter. In theory that would give him the chance to polish batting numbers without the wear and tear of playing.

Just a thought.