Craig Gentry DFA by the Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics made room on their 40-man roster by designating for assignment outfielder Craig Gentry.  You remember that name because he’s a former Texas Rangers outfielder who was trading in the Michael Choice deal back in 2013.

Now that he’s on the open market he could potentially return to the team that drafted him in the 2010 draft, the Texas Rangers.  That would make many Rangers fans happy.

Craig ‘Kitten Face’ Gentry who I mainly remember by his speed.  He was very good on the base path and in the outfield.  Right now the Rangers have a solid centerfielder with Delino DeShields with Drew Stubbs backing him up.  But, the addition of Gentry would give them potentially a solid right-handed bat in the lineup, and quick feet in the outfield.  He struggled last season with the Oakland Athletics with a batting line of .120/.196/.200/.396 with 3 RBI, 15 strikeouts and 6 hits.  But, it should be noted that 2 of those 6 hits were triples.

Watch:  9/26/13: Craig Gentry fields Mark Trumbo’s single in left field and delivers a perfect throw home to nail Howie Kendrick at the plate

When Gentry was with the Rangers he was playing near or at the top of his game.  Many were frustrated when he was traded back in 2013 for Choice.   Neither Choice or Gentry worked really for their respective teams.  From 2011 to 2013 Gentry batted around .280 for each season with about 12 doubles, 3 triples and 40 RBI each year.  In his last year with the Texas Rangers he had an offensive WAR of 2.3 and a defensive WAR of 1.4.

Next: MLB Owners Meeting reactions and comments

Overall, the question is should the Rangers try to get him?  Gentry did struggle at the plate in 2015.  According to MLB Trade Rumors he’s only expected to for about $1.6 million next season.  That’s saying he clears waivers and is able to hit the open market.  If he doesn’t hit the waivers the Rangers would have to make trade for him.  But, saying he’s a free-agent it would make sense for the Rangers to sign him.  They could bring him into camp and see what he still has.  In my opinion he could be an excellent guy to bring off the bench for the outfield and another great right-handed bat.