The Oakland Athletics have sent Michael Choice and Chris Bostick to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Craig Gentry and Josh Lindblom. Choice, the player with the highest upside involved in the trade was rated as the number 91 prospect in baseball and possesses strong hit and power tools for a corner outfielder. Now in Texas, Choice has the potential to challenge for the last starting outfielder spot in Spring Training. He spent all of 2013 in AAA and batted to a .302/.390/.445 slash line in 510 at bats. Given a chance in Arlington, Choice can become an all-star caliber player that regularly bats .280 with 25 home runs a season. Leonys Martin should keep a cautious eye on Choice and his development because his job will be at risk very soon.
The secondary piece involved in the trade is young second baseman Chris Bostick. Still a prospect in the lower levels of the minor leagues, Bostick has the chance to be a good overall player. He broke out in his first full season at the A level. Bostick hit 14 home runs to go along with 25 stolen bases but he projects to only obtain about ten home runs and stolen bases later on in his career. While nothing in particular stands out with Bostick, he has the potential to be a solid backup infielder at the major league level.
Craig Gentry was sent to the Athletics in return and profiles as the main backup outfielder in Oakland. Gentry main claim to fame is his speed and his fielding. He is an excellent defensive player, having some of the best saber metric fielding statistics over the past few years. In addition to his fielding, Gentry stole 24 bases last season in limited use. If one of the A's outfielders goes out with an injury, the job will fall on the capable shoulders of Craig Gentry.
Josh Lindblom is the final piece in this deal. Lindblom went through some trouble in Texas; being forced to start didn't help. He has walk issues but a good strikeout rate helps to keep his command in check. As a reliever, Lindblom has a career 3.17 ERA but his peripheral stats point to him having closer to a 4.37 xFIP. Either way, Lindblom's upside is that of a low-end middle reliever.
Overall, the Athletics traded away a top prospect and a lower tier prospect for a good backup outfielder and a below average bullpen piece.
Athletics - B-
Rangers - A-
For more info on the trade see: http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2013/12/30/5250182/athletics-rumors-craig-gentry-rangers-choice
Image citations in order of page:
http://swinginas.com/2013/09/01/the-calvary-is-coming-michael-choice-among-others-called-up-to-oakland/
http://www.pickinsplinters.com/2012/08/17/from-nycbl-to-ny-p-bostick-continues-making-the-grade/
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1792500-crucial-x-factors-in-tampa-bay-rays-vs-texas-rangers-al-wild-card-play-in-game
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/JTR7Q_TVcgP/Oakland+Athletics+v+Texas+Rangers/zM8VdOl72qr/Josh+Lindblom
Overall, the Athletics traded away a top prospect and a lower tier prospect for a good backup outfielder and a below average bullpen piece.
Athletics - B-
Rangers - A-
For more info on the trade see: http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2013/12/30/5250182/athletics-rumors-craig-gentry-rangers-choice
Image citations in order of page:
http://swinginas.com/2013/09/01/the-calvary-is-coming-michael-choice-among-others-called-up-to-oakland/
http://www.pickinsplinters.com/2012/08/17/from-nycbl-to-ny-p-bostick-continues-making-the-grade/
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1792500-crucial-x-factors-in-tampa-bay-rays-vs-texas-rangers-al-wild-card-play-in-game
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/JTR7Q_TVcgP/Oakland+Athletics+v+Texas+Rangers/zM8VdOl72qr/Josh+Lindblom
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