Jays deal Hendriks, Kratz to Royals
The Toronto Blue Jays tonight announced that they have traded Buffalo Bisons' RHP LIAM HENDRIKS and C ERIK KRATZ to the Kansas City Royals.
The Blue Jays acquired 3B Danny Valencia in the trade.
Hendriks has been the International League's best pitcher in 2014 and was the winning pitcher and Most Valuable Player of the 2014 Triple-A All-Star Game earlier this month. In 18 games and 16 starts with the Bisons, Hendriks was 8-1 with a league best 2.33 ERA. He walked just seven batters while collecting a Bisons' team-high 91 strikeouts in 108.1 innings of work. Hendriks also leads the International League with a 0.91 WHIP and topped all Bisons pitchers with nine quality starts.
Kratz has split the 2014 season between the Blue Jays and the Bisons. In 27 games with the Herd, he has averaged .299 (26-87) with 10 doubles, three home runs and 17 RBI. He drove in a Bisons' season-high six runs on June 28 against Syracuse (4-5, 2 R, 2 2B, HR).