Royals acquire Trevor Cahill, Brandon Maurer, Ryan Buchter in 6-player deal with Padres

The Kansas City Royals avoided a fire sale by playing their way back into contention. And now they've added extra arms for the stretch drive. 

The Royals pulled off a six-player trade with the San Diego Padres on Monday, acquiring relievers Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter and starter Trevor Cahill from the rebuilding NL West club. 

"We wanted to move sooner than later," general manager Dayton Moore said.

"We're very excited. We've always felt good about this team. We're certainly very much in the thick of a pennant race in our division."

In exchange, the Padres received left-handers Matt Strahm and Travis Wood and minor league infielder Esteury Ruiz. 

The deal, while lacking marquee names, significantly fortifies the Royals' pitching staff. Maurer, 27, was the Padres' closer and converted 20 of 23 save opportunities, despite posting a 5.72 ERA. He'll presumably assume a set-up role in front of Royals closer Kelvin Herrera, as will Buchter. The 30-year-old struck out 47 in 38 1/3 innings for San Diego.

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Cahill filled a key relief role for the Chicago Cubs last season and shifted back to the rotation this year, posting a 3.69 ERA in 11 starts for the Padres. Eligible for free agency after this season, Cahill, 29, will slide into the back of the rotation to fill a vacancy created by Nate Karns' season-ending shoulder injury. 

Strahm, 25, came out of nowhere to dazzle out of Kansas City's bullpen late last season, posting a 1.23 ERA in 21 appearances, but was hit hard this season and will miss the remainder of the season after tearing a patellar tendon in his left knee. Wood, like Cahill a member of the 2016 champion Cubs, signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Royals but has been a bust, posting a 6.91 ERA. 

Ruiz gives the Padres an intriguing long-term prospect. He had a strong pro debut as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League, posting an .889 OPS, and had a strong offensive showing in 21 games of the Arizona League this season (.419/.440/.779). He can play shortstop, second base or the outfield.

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