The Braves were active, wrapping up a deal that was announced after the deadline passed to nab Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth. Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse first noted the Royals take of Jesse Chavez, Gregor Blanco and Tim Collins. In addition the Royals are sending cash to cover all but $1 million of the money owed to Ankiel and Farnsworth.

Ankiel will step in to play centerfield for the Braves, replacing the demoted Nate McLouth. In limited duty with the Royals, thanks to an assortment of injuries, Ankiel posted a .261/.317/.467 line in 101 plate appearances.

Farnsworth joins a solid bullpen in Atlanta where he will allow Peter Moylan and Johnny Venters to have a day or two off every now and then. This is his second turn in Atlanta, having arrived five years ago in another deadline deal. On the season, he has gotten three wins and posted a 2.42 ERA, which is his best since his previous stint in Atlanta.

Chavez had a brief stay in Atlanta, coming over in the deal that sent Rafael Soriano to the Rays. In 28 games, he's put up middling peripherals, but may again be a reliable bullpen arm. He's under club control until 2015, and will not be eligible for arbitration until 2012 at the soonest.

Blanco profiles as a fourth outfielder type, capable of playing all three positions, but who bat does not really profile well at either corner and whose defense may not be strong enough for centerfield. Either he or Mitch Maier will assume the centerfield responsibilities, though Maier's minor league track record should give him an edge.

Collins was recently acquired by the Braves in the Yunel Escobar deal. He has otherworldly strikeout numbers, especially considering his diminutive size.  He's likely to be assigned to Kansas City's Double A affiliate in the Texas League.  After stints in both the Southern League and the Eastern League, that's the Double A hat trick.

Joe Tetreault is Managing Editor of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He can be contacted here through The Biz of Baseball

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