Oakland A's claim Danny Valencia from Toronto Blue Jays

The Oakland Athletics have successfully claimed Toronto Blue Jays infielder-outfielder Danny Valencia from the Toronto Blue Jays off waivers. Valencia, 30, is out of options, and so the A's will have to make a move off of their 25-man roster when he reports.

It sounds as if Danny Valencia will join #Athletics tomorrow so corresponding move would be made then.

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) August 3, 2015

Somewhat surprising is that the Blue Jays saw no reason to try to insist on trade compensation beyond the $20,000 claim fee, though their leverage was limited. The A's were second in trade waivers priority, which gives preference to intraleague claims in order of record. Toronto's only other choice would have been to revoke his trade waivers and allow him to go on outright waivers where preference is in order of record regardless of league, and several National League teams have priority.

Valencia owns a career .326/.369/.497 (137 wRC+) batting line against left-handed pitching in 634 plate appearances, and is .316/.366/.461 (129 wRC+) in 82 plate appearances this season. Valencia is also enjoying a career year against right-handed pitching. He is .279/.300/.547 (128 wRC+) in 91 plate appearances against righties with five home runs, though he has only a .231/.267/.367 career line (70 wRC+) against them.

The A's will have team control over the third baseman-left fielder through 2017. He earns $1,675,000 this season. Brett Lawrie may be given opportunities to play second base, especially if the A's option Max Muncy to Triple-A Nashville between adding Coco Crisp and Valencia to their active roster this week. Valencia this year started 27 games in left field, nine at third base, one at first base, and one in right field for Tonto.

The news came with official word that Pat Venditte was activated off the DL and optioned to Triple-A Nashville:

#Athletics claim Danny Valencia off waivers from Toronto; reinstate Pat Venditte from the DL and option him to Nashville

— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) August 3, 2015