BREAKING: Royals Trade David DeJesus!

David DeJesus is no longer a Kansas City Royal.

The team traded DeJesus, its longest-tenured player, to the Oakland A’s on Wednesday in exchange for pitchers Vin Mazzaro, who appears headed to Kansas City’s starting rotation, and Justin Marks, a minor-league prospect.

With the trade, the Royals lose one of their biggest offensive forces from over the past half-decade, and a bona-fide fan favorite. The Royals’ longest-tenured player is now pitcher Zack Greinke.

The move came just hours after the Royals parted ways with Brian Bannister, the once-high hopes pitcher who proved to be one of the worst starters in the majors in 2010. The Royals have been working to find ways to bolster their starting rotation; it appears 24-year-old Mazzaro is an immediate answer to the problem.

MLB.com also speculated the move could be to make a spot in the outfield for Jeff Francoeur, who was released by the Rangers on Wednesday. Royals GM Dayton Moore and Francoeur apparently developed a friendship in the Atlanta Braves organization.

Over two seasons in Oakland, Mazzaro compiled a 10-17 record with a 4.72 ERA.

Marks was selected by Oakland in the third round of the 2009 MLB Draft. The Kentucky native was a start at the University of Louisville.

For his career, DeJesus is a .289 hitter with a .360 on base percentage. He will be 31 years old on Opening Day 2011.

Watch I-70 Baseball for more developments.

Matt Kelsey is a Royals writer and the content editor for I-70 Baseball. He can be reached at mattkelsey@i70baseball.com.