The Athletics acquired left-handed reliever Jake Diekman from the Royals on Saturday, bolstering a bullpen already considered among the most talented in baseball.

The well-traveled Diekman, 32, joined the Royals as a free agent this winter and had been one of the most popular players on the trade market leading up to the July 31 deadline.

Oakland pounced and will send two prospects -- outfielder Dairon Blanco and right-handed pitcher Ismael Aquino -- to Kansas City. Blanco, 26, who was signed as an international free agent in 2017, was batting .276 with 44 RBIs and 27 stolen bases for Double-A Midland this season. Aquino, 20, was 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA over 10 appearances in the Arizona League.