A's acquire Gentry in four player deal

The Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers completed a deal this afternoon, according to reports. The Athletics will be acquiring outfielder Craig Gentry and right-hander Josh Lindblom in exchange for outfielder Michael Choice and minor league infielder Chris Bostick, who will be heading to the Rangers. 

Gentry, 30, has a career .280/.355/.366 slash line in 323 career major league games. In 2013, Gentry hit .280/.373/.386 with 2 home runs and 22 RBI. He is a guy that will get on-base quite often and won't strike out (Gentry had only 46 strikeouts in 287 plate appearances in 2013). His defense is a good addition, posting a .996 fielding percentage at his main position, center field. He can play all three outfield positions. 

Lindblom, 26, has a career 3.82 ERA in 109 appearances (5 starts). 2013 was a transitional year for Lindblom, who for the first time in his career, became a starter. He also threw the slider more than the fastball for the first time in his career. In 2013, Lindblom went 1-3 with a 5.46 ERA in 8 games with the Rangers (5 starts). 

Michael Choice, 24, has shown promise down in the minor leagues. The tenth overall pick in the 2010 draft, Choice has a career .290/.376/.482 slash line in four minor league seasons. In 2013, he hit .302/.390/.445 with 14 home runs and 89 RBI. He's ready to breakout into the majors. It's seeming to me that the Athletics just couldn't find a place for him. The Rangers will be happy to take a chance on a former top ten pick and give him a shot.

The Rangers will also be receiving minor league infielder Chris Bostick. Bostick, 20, was taken in the 44th round of the 2011 draft. In his first full season of pro ball, Bostick played well, hitting .282/.354/.452 with 14 home runs and 89 RBI. It looks like he has developing power, and could make some noise as he moves up the ranks.