Craig Gentry

Gentry was brought to the Orioles to add a much-needed speed element after the club mustered a grand total of 19 stolen bases in 2016. Unfortunately, Gentry's speed didn't translate to much success on the basepaths; he stole five bags and was caught four times. He was initially expected to fill a platoon role in left field, but the ascension of Trey Mancini mitigated the need for Gentry to see regular playing time. If there is a positive takeaway from Gentry's 2017, it's that he showed there's still some life in his bat (emphasis on some); he hit .257 over 101 at-bats after combining for 11 hits in 84 at-bats (.130 BA) in his previous two seasons. As a 34-year-old with diminishing base-running skills and a mediocre bat, Gentry's days as an MLB regular are likely over. However, his glove and experience could earn him a camp invite from a team in need of outfield depth.

Gentry hit just .147 in 14 major league games with the Angels last season, but has a .261 career average and can play any outfield position. His glove is still seen as above average, would could put him in the mix for a reserve role. If Gentry makes Baltimore's major league roster, his upside may be to have a platoon role, most likely in left field.

Gentry had a nightmare of a 2015 season, beginning the campaign as part of a center field platoon and then earning a demotion to Triple-A in May after starting the season in a 3-for-38 slump with zero extra-base hits. He had 298 at-bats in Triple-A and while he did manage to steal 25 bases, he only hit .256 with a .646 OPS as a 31-year-old. The promise that Gentry showed in 2013 with the Rangers where he hit .280 with a .759 OPS and 24 steals has dwindled in a big way after back-to-back disappointing season in Oakland. Luckily for the A's, the prospect they traded for Gentry, Michael Choice, has been a large bust in his time in Arlington. Fortunately for Gentry, he signed a one-year deal with the Angels, who had a gaping hole in left field. Whether he deserves it or not, playing time should be easy to come by (at least early in the season), making him a dirt cheap option for steals in AL-only leagues.

The A's acquired Gentry in an offseason trade with the Rangers and were rewarded with a very injury-marred 2014 season. Gentry missed all of spring training and started the season on the DL with a lower back strain, and proceeded to miss three weeks during the summer with a broken hand. He then finished the season on the DL after sustaining a concussion in early September in a vicious collision at first base. The injuries limited Gentry to only 232 at-bats in which he hit .254 with 20 stolen bases. He was particularly efficient on the bases as his 20 swipes came at the expense of only two failed attempts. Gentry showed no pop in 2014 (zero homers) and even had a 40-game stretch early in the season without an extra-base hit. He figures to be in the mix for starts in left field and center field (when Coco Crisp sits or DH's) and while he will not provide any homers, he could be a valuable source for steals in deeper leagues if he can stay healthy in 2015.

Gentry continued to be a serviceable fourth outfielder, capable of stealing bases (24-for-27 in 2013) and providing good defense, but that appears to be his upside. The A's acquired him from the Rangers as part of a four-player swap in the offseason, which almost certainly puts Gentry in a platoon role where he will start against left-handed pitching in 2014. When deployed correctly, his glove and quality platoon line makes him a valuable commodity, and the move into a cavernous home park shouldn't hurt his production as a player with minimal power to begin with.

Gentry didn't provide the sort of cheap speed his owners were undoubtedly hoping for, as he amassed just 13 steals over 240 at-bats after swiping 18 bases in 133 at-bats the year prior. He was basically limited to a late-inning defensive replacement role with healthy seasons from Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and David Murphy, though the departure of Hamilton could vault Gentry into a center-field platoon with Leonys Martin as 2013 begins.

Gentry managed to swipe 18 bases in 18 attempts as a glorified pinch-runner and occasional outfielder in 2011. The speed is legit, particularly with the steady dose of green lights from manager Ron Washington, so there's some marginal value here as a roster filler in deeper leagues despite the lack of a foreseeable path to extended playing time. The Rangers have a glut of center-field options at their disposal, so look for Gentry to remain in a similar reserve role with Julio Borbon or Leonys Martin in position to handle the starting job.

Gentry followed up a nice season at Double-A Frisco in 2009 with another solid effort (.309/.393/.413) in 69 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City, though he saw a drastic reduction in stolen bases (just 12 swipes after a 49-steal campaign in 2009). He's too old to be anything more than a reserve outfielder, but he could inherit some playing time in center field in 2011 if Julio Borbon struggles and Texas remains intent on keeping Josh Hamilton in left. Given the Rangers' propensity to steal under Ron Washington, there's hidden value here if he can carve out 150-200 at-bats.

Gentry was rewarded for a good season at Double-A Frisco (.306/.381/.422, 49 steals in 55 attempts) with a September callup to the majors. He'll be 26 when the season begins, and might be able to earn a bench spot with a solid spring depending on how Texas handles the expected departure of Marlon Byrd. There aren't many pinch-running opportunities with Texas, however, as the only base clogger figures to come at catcher. If Gentry isn't running, there's no value.