Yesterday, as reported by Steve Adams on MLBTR, the Athletics acquired Craig Gentry and Josh Lindblom from the Texas Rangers in exchange for Michael Choice and Chris Bostick.

Gentry is one of the top defensive outfielders in the MLB, but struggles offensively against right-handed pitching. As Steve Adams notes, “Gentry has thrived against left-handed pitching throughout his career, compiling a solid .288/.376/.399 slash line. He’s serviceable against right-handed pitchers as well, though his OBP (.334) and slugging (.335) are significantly lower against same-handed pitching.” The A’s are planning to use Lindblom as a starter, according to Jeff Passan, and was a fly-ball pitcher as a reliever, with a 3.82 ERA in 132.0 MLB innings with three different teams. That tendency will play out better in Oakland.

Chris Bostick is not a name I was familiar with — but he was Oakland’s 20th ranked prospect, a second baseman, with some pop. He banged out 14 home runs with a .282/.354/.452 line in 2013.

The big name in this trade, however, has to be Michael Choice for me — and if he was available for so little, I’m a little surprised the Mets didn’t go after him. Choice looks like he’ll be a solid player in the MLB as a corner outfielder, as a real power threat. He has a mature approach at the plate, and although he does strike out often, he draws walks and demonstrates enough selection at the plate. Choice’s best year was in 2010, in Single-A Advanced ball, where he hit 30 home runs with a .285/.376/.542 slash line in 542 plate appearances. He also hit 28 doubles, and posted a 61:134 BB:K ratio. He was called up the Athletics to make his debut last year, and at the time, he was batting .302/.390/.445 in Triple-A Sacramento with 14 home runs.

If we were going by direct comparisons, a package from the Mets would have had to include Juan Lagares and perhaps Jacob DeGrom. However, since I’m not interested in Chris Bostick, I wonder if the Mets could have put together a similar package to acquire Choice centered around the young pitching that we have… it just gets me thinking is all.