Ex-Twins: Did Danny Valencia Really Beat The Blue Jays?
Former Minnesota Twins third basemen, and one time top prospect, Danny Valencia beat the Toronto Blue Jays this past week in an arbitration case. Toronto has been known as a trial and file team, meaning they present a counter in arbitration and then go to a hearing. However, it was Danny Valencia that became the straw that broke the camels back.
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In going to arbitration with Danny Valencia, the Blue Jays were experiencing their first case with any player since 1997. Of all of those to reach arbitration, it was Valencia who would beat the Blue Jays. Through winning his case, Valencia will earn $1.675 million this season.
.@BlueJays Danny Valencia has been awarded $1.675 Million through arbitration.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 6, 2015
Toronto offered their platoon third basemen $1.25 million, to which Valencia responded with a request for more. Providing little value against right-handed pitchers, Valencia was actually very solid against lefties a year ago. With the Twins, manager Ron Gardenhire was opposed to a platoon situation, and Valencia was often seen as a less than producing prima donna.
As Toronto now welcomes former Oakland Athletics third basemen Josh Donaldson into the fold, it will be interesting to see what time they are able to scrounge up for their arbitration winning third basemen.
At any rate, this has to be viewed as a win for Valencia, and the fact that he is able to continue to stick and contribute on a major league roster is a testament to a player that is aware of his strengths. While Valencia has never been able to hit righties at the major league level, he provides a plus bat off the bench, and is a strong platoon option. It doesn’t appear he will be joined in Toronto by former Twins first basemen Chris Colabello, who was DFA’d earlier this week.
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