A's get Dominguez from Rangers

OAKLAND -- The A's on Friday picked up a relatively young arm they've been coveting, giving up a promising hitter for whom they had no room.

In a three-team deal, Oakland acquired right-hander Juan Dominguez from the Rangers for infielder-outfielder Freddie Bynum and left-hander John Rheinecker, and Texas immediately shipped Bynum to the Cubs for left-hander John Koronka and a player to be named later.

"We've been trying to move Freddie most of the spring," assistant general manager David Forst said, noting that Bynum was out of options and there was no room for him to crack the Oakland lineup. "But he certainly played himself onto somebody's club."

The A's have been interested in the 25-year-old Dominguez at least since Sept. 25, when he picked up a win at Oakland, limiting the A's to two runs on eight hits over 7 1/3 innings while fanning three and walking none.

"He pitched against us the other day and struggled with his command, but he pitched against us in September and he was pretty much lights-out," manager Ken Macha said. "He's got a power arm, a plus-fastball and a plus-changeup."

Dominguez's Cactus League record this year -- 1-2, 8.44 ERA -- doesn't exactly shine, but the A's are impressed with his command of the strike zone.

While up with the Rangers last year, Dominguez made 10 starts in 22 appearances and went 4-6 with a 4.22 ERA. His Major League totals include 72 strikeouts, 42 walks and a 5-10 record in 109 2/3 innings over 32 games.

In contrast, Bynum's spring was phenomenal. He hit .373 with one homer and nine RBIs in 51 at-bats over 23 games, stealing six bases without getting caught.

In seven games with Oakland last year, Bynum collected two hits in seven at-bats (.286) and drove in a run.

With Triple-A Sacramento last year, the 26-year-old Rheinecker went 4-0 with a 1.77 ERA before tearing a tendon in his left middle finger on May 13. This spring, he was 0-1 with a 4.,68 ERA in five games with the A's.