It has not been a typical off-season so far for the Oakland Athletics a team that has been known for its shrewd moves and not making a major splash with trades or free agent signings. In acquiring closer Jim Johnson via trade and signing Scott Kazmir to a two-year deal worth $22 million the largest contract given to a pitcher in franchise history general manager Billy Beane isn’t waiting around. Another deal got made today this time sending highly touted prospect Michael Choice an outfielder and minor league infielder Chris Bostick to the Texas Rangers for outfielder Craig Gentry and pitcher Josh Lindblom.
Lindblom has bounced around since he debuted for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011, which so far has been his best season in Major League Baseball. He appeared in 27 games and finished out of the those games, had an 1-0 record, an era of 2.73, struck out 28 while walking 10, threw 29.2 innings and a whip of 1.045. During the 2012 season he got traded to the Philadelphia Phillies and in December of that same year got traded to the Rangers. For Texas appeared in eight games including five starts recording a record of 1-3 with a 5.46 era, threw 31.1 innings, struck out 21, walked 11 and a whip of 1.468.
Most of his season got spent in Triple-A where Lindblom started 18 games and went 8-4 with an era of 3.08, threw 108 innings, struck out 79, walked 31 and a whip of 1.083.
For Oakland center fielder Coco Crisp has been known to wind up on the disabled list and with Chris Young no loner in the equation the team needed a backup. Gentry provides just that and plays all three outfield positions. The outfielder played in 106 games in 2013 with the Rangers hit .280 with 69 hits, 39 runs scored, 12 doubles, four triples, 2 home runs, 22 rbi, stole 24 bases and got thrown out three times and a obp of .373.
The Rangers seem to have found their replacement for Nelson Cruz if he doesn’t re-sign with Choice. He got his first taste of MLB in 2013 and in nine games hit .278, with five hits, two runs scored, a double, a walk and six strikeouts. Spent most of his season in Triple-A and hit .302, with 154 hits, 90 runs scored, 29 doubles, a triple, 14 home runs, 89 rbi and a obp of .390.
As for Bostick he spent his season in A-Ball appearing in 125 games at second base and four games at designated hitter. He hit .282 with 138 hits, 75 runs scored, 25 doubles, eight triples, 14 home runs, 89 rbi, 25 stolen bases and a obp of .354.
Much like the A’s previous trade with the Baltimore Orioles both teams are getting a need. In this case the Rangers bring in a replacement for Cruz in right field and the A’s get insurance in the outfield if Crisp ends up on the disabled list. Oakland likely isn’t done dealing as rumors continue to swirl around left-handed starter Brett Anderson.