This is hardly the blockbuster fans of either team were hoping for, but it's a trade nonetheless. The Kansas City Royals have acquired catcher Eric Kratz and pitcher Liam Hendriks from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for infielder Danny Valencia, the Royals have officially announced.
It's a move that means depth for each club.
The Blue Jays are still without Brett Lawrie and Edwin Encarnacion.
 
Royals trade Danny Valencia to Blue Jays for Hendriks, Kratz
 
The acquisition of Valencia, who has been primarily a third baseman, probably means they'll limit the number of times Juan Francisco is used at third and instead slot him either at first base or DH. Valencia could also be used at second base or, of course, as a bench piece.
Valencia, 29, is hitting .282/.328/.382 (96 OPS+) with five doubles, two homers and 11 RBI in 119 plate appearances this season. He's a career .265/.304/.409 hitter.
Hendriks, 25, has made 33 career appearances in the majors, 31 of which were starts. He's 3-13 with a 6.06 ERA. This season, he made just three starts for the Blue Jays, going 1-0 with a 6.08 ERA. In 18 Triple-A appearances (16 starts), he's 8-1 with a 2.33 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 91 strikeouts against only seven walks in 108 1/3 innings.
Kratz, 34, hit .198/.226/.346 with three homers and 10 RBI in 84 plate appearances for the Blue Jays this season. In 100 plate appearances for Triple-A Buffalo, he hit .299/.354/.517 with three homers and 17 RBI. With All-Star Salvador Perez the starter, Kratz is obviously nothing more than a backup.
Matt Snyder/CBS Sports
 

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