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.
Austin Laymance is a reporter for MLB.