A's trade third baseman Donaldson to Toronto

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland A's acquired left-handed pitcher Sean Nolin, right-handed pitcher Kendall Graveman, infielder Brett Lawrie and Minor League infielder Franklin Barreto from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for third baseman Josh Donaldson, the club announced today. To clear spots on the 40-man roster, the A's designated right-handed pitcher Josh Lindblom and first baseman Kyle Blanks for assignment.

Donaldson batted .255 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in 158 games with Oakland last year. He ranked sixth in the American League in walks (76), eighth in runs (93), tied for ninth in home runs and tied for 10th in RBIs and extra base hits (62). Donaldson was elected to his first AL All-Star team in 2014. He is a .268 career hitter with 63 home runs and 228 RBIs in 405 games in four seasons with Oakland.

Lawrie batted .247 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs in 70 games with Toronto last year. He missed most of the final three months of the season due to two stints on the disabled list with a broken finger and an oblique strain. The 24-year-old right-handed hitter started 44 games at third base and 26 at second base in 2014 but has made 311 of his 344 career starts at third base. Lawrie was the first-round pick of Milwaukee in 2008 and was traded to Toronto following the 2010 season. He is a .265 career hitter with 43 home runs and 157 RBIs in 345 games.

Graveman made his Major League debut with Toronto last year, compiling a 3.86 ERA in five September relief appearances. He combined for a 14-6 record and a 1.83 ERA in 27 starts for Single-A Lansing and Dunedin, Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo, earning Baseball America Minor League All-Star honors. The 23-year-old right-hander struck out 115, walked just 31 and allowed two home runs in 167 1/3 innings. Graveman was originally selected by Toronto in the eighth round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.

Nolin made one relief appearance with Toronto last year, allowing one run in one inning. He combined for a 4-7 record and a 3.43 ERA in 20 starts with the GCL Blue Jays, Class A Dunedin and Triple-A Buffalo. The 24-year-old left-hander was drafted by Toronto in the sixth round of the 2010 Draft and is 27-17 with a 3.06 ERA in 92 games, including 86 starts, in five professional seasons.

Barreto hit .311 with six home runs, 61 RBIs and 29 stolen bases in 73 games with short-season Class A Vancouver in his second professional season. He was originally signed by the Toronto organization as a non-drafted free agent out of Venezuela on July 2, 2012. The 18-year old right-handed hitter was named the Blue Jays' fifth best prospect by Baseball America following the season