The A's acquired pitching prospect Paul Blackburn from the Mariners on Saturday in exchange for infielder/outfielder Danny Valencia.
Blackburn, 22, was ranked as the Mariners' No. 18 prospect and is now ranked No. 19 in the Oakland system. The right-hander was acquired by the Mariners from the Cubs in July and went 9-5 with a 3.27 ERA in 26 games (25 starts) in Double-A between Tennessee and Jackson. Blackburn was named to the Southern League Northern Division All-Star team.
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Blackburn is from the Bay Area and graduated from Heritage High School in Brentwood before being selected by the Cubs with the 56th overall pick in the 2012 Draft.
Valencia, entering his final year of arbitration eligibility, will be eligible for free agency after next season. He produced a .287/.346/.446 line with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs in 130 games with the A's this past season.
For the A's in 2016, Valencia made 67 starts at third base, 36 in right field, 15 at first base and one in left field.