Royals land Erceg from A's to bolster bullpen

The Kansas City Royals completed a trade to acquire right-handed reliever Lucas Erceg from the Oakland Athletics, the club announced Tuesday.

Oakland is getting right-hander Mason Barnett, outfielder Jared Dickey, and right-hander Will Klein in return.

Erceg owns a 3.68 ERA with three saves and 41 strikeouts across 36 2/3 innings this season. He's kept the ball in the park during his career, allowing only four home runs over 91 2/3 innings.

The 29-year-old is J.J. Picollo's second major bullpen acquisition, as the Royals general manager snagged right-hander Hunter Harvey from the Washington Nationals on July 13.

Erceg will look to help boost a Royals bullpen that ranks 24th in the league in ERA (4.30) and 30th in strikeouts (270). He's under club control through the 2029 campaign.

Barnett was the Royals' No. 11 prospect, according to Baseball America. The 23-year-old owns a 5-6 record with a 4.91 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings at Double-A.

Klein was the No. 16 prospect in Kansas City's system. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut this season, registering a 1-0 record with a 6.35 ERA in five appearances.

Dickey, 22, hit nine home runs with 40 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 81 games at High-A this season.