Royals trade Phillips to Rays for IF Lucius Fox

The last remnant of the Mike Moustakas trade is now a former Royal.

Outfielder Brett Phillips, who was acquired from Milwaukee along with pitcher Jorge López in a 2018 trade for Moustakas, was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday for infielder Lucius Fox. López was designated for assignment Aug. 7 and claimed by Baltimore two days later.

Phillips, 26, was hitting .226 in 18 games with Kansas City this season.

Fox will join the 40-man roster but be assigned to the Royals’ alternate training site. The 23-year-old has been working at the Rays’ alternate site since July 18.

Fox, a native of the Bahamas, signed with the Giants as an international free agent in 2015 and was was traded to Tampa Bay a year later. A switch-hitter known mostly for his speed, Fox stole a Southern League-leading 37 bases for Double-A Montgomery in 2019. He also batted .230 with a .340 on-base percentage in 104 games.