The Texas Rangers Trade Craig Gentry and Josh Lindblom to the Oakland Athletics for Michael Choice and a Chris Bostick

Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels has been quite active in the early goings of this years off-season.  He made another splash on Tuesday as he sent outfield Craig Gentry and right-hander Josh Lindblom to their division rival the Oakland A's in exchange for young outfielder Michael Choice and a minor league infielder in Chris Bostick.

"In looking at our club and our organization, we put a priority on run production this winter," GM Jon Daniels said.  "We think Michael is a guy who fits that profile.  He has hit everywhere he has been: high school, college, up through the Minors.  He hits both right-handed and left-handed pitchers and really drives the ball."

Now Choice played in 132 games at Triple-A Sacramento last year and hit .302 with 29 doubles, 14 home runs, 89 RBI's, a .390 on-base percentage and a .445 slugging percentage.  He was called up to the A's in September and was 5-for-18 with one double in nine games.  "Where Michael is at in his career and his potential, the opportunity is there to make a contribution right away," Daniels said. "We have four months before Opening Day, so things change.  If today was March 31 and we were getting ready to play the Phillies, we're comfortable we can put together a quality outfield. But it is December 3rd.  We still have time to see what's out there.  We could add somebody else to the mix or we may go with what we've got."

Craig Gentry (pictured on the right) will be a tough loss to the roster though.  He spent the last two seasons as Texas' fourth outfielder, usually playing against left-handed pitching along with being the  Rangers' best defensive outfielder with his tremendous speed.  In 227 games and 556 plate appearances, Gentry hit .292 with a .370 on-base percentage and a .389 slugging percentage. He also stole 37 bases in 47 attempts.