A's throw curve by trading for Cubs outfielder/infielder Chris Coghlan

The A's opening day roster, if not their regular lineup, became a more interesting puzzle Thursday when the team acquired infielder/outfielder Chris Coghlan from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for pitcher Aaron Brooks.

The A's already had what seemed to be a full outfield before adding Coghlan, who played 99 games in left field and 21 in right for the Cubs last year, contributing 25 doubles, 16 homers and 41 RBI in 440 at-bats with a slash line of .250/.341/.443.

The A's have returning starters Billy Burns in center and Josh Reddick in right, and a new left fielder in Khris Davis. In addition, Mark Canha, who was a candidate to play left before the Davis trade, is coming off a strong rookie season, and Coco Crisp is healthy after elbow, wrist and neck injuries a year ago. He'll be attempting to claim a starting job in left or center.

Coghlan is versatile. He made 15 appearances at second base and three at third last season. But the A's infield appears set -- third baseman Danny Valencia, shortstop Marcus Semien, second baseman Jed Lowrie, first baseman Yonder Alonso -- and backups Eric Sogard and Tyler Ladendorf.

Sogard has averaged 122 games over the last three years, mostly at second base, and Ladendorf made the opening day roster last year then wound up missing much of the season with an ankle injury.

There's always the designated hitter spot. Davis, who doesn't have a strong throwing arm, could move there, opening up playing time for Crisp or Coghlan. But the A's have a DH, too, in Billy Butler, intent on coming back from an unproductive first season in Oakland.

Thursday's deal could suggest another trade in the offing. But two players once coveted by other organizations -- Crisp and Butler -- have huge salaries. Crisp is due $11 million and Butler is owed $10 million, and other teams are unlikely to take on that kind of money when one player (Crisp) has health issues and the other (Butler) has productivity questions.

The A's could still make one or more trades, but they'd almost certainly have to give up players -- Canha, Burns, Ladendorf -- with minimal contracts who are under long-term club control, and that wouldn't sit well with Oakland's extended plans.

Failing that, they could deal Valencia, but that seems unlikely given that the roster is built in part around having Valencia. Or, and this is really a stretch, they could clear space in the outfield by trading Reddick, whom they are trying to sign to a contract extension.

Whittling this roster into 25 players over the next five weeks is going to be interesting, which the A's are well aware of.

"There could be some tough roster calls at the end, depending on our health,'' manager Bob Melvin said. "But that just means you have some depth. You have a pool of more players you think fit. (Coghlan's) a good player, and he's going to get to play all over.''

Coghlan, 30, was mostly a left fielder with the Cubs last year, but he's been told to expect to bounce around between the infield and outfield, and he seems fine with that. Before the trade came down, he was in danger of losing considerable playing time after the Cubs' surprise signing of outfielder Dexter Fowler on Thursday.

A's general manager David Forst said Coghlan's versatility fits neatly into the A's plans thos season. Forst said that while Semien was going to be the everyday shortstop, Valencia and Lowrie will get some days off, with Coghlan possibly being one of the fill-ins.

"He's excited about being that Ben Zobrist-kind of guy for us,'' Forst said shortly after getting off the phone with Coghlan.

The left-handed hitting Coghlan swung by the A's complex in Mesa on Thursday to drop off his gear. The A's full roster works out for the first time Friday.

"We've been looking to upgrade the lineup the last few months,'' Forst said. "From the left side, he's got power, a high contact rate, he takes walks, he stole 11 bases last year. He adds a bunch of different dynamics to the lineup, and I think Bob will figure out over the next month where he fits in the order and position-wise.''

Melvin said it was too early to determine how Coghlan would be used. "Versatility makes for value,'' the manager said. "We'll let it play out in the spring.''

Coghlan's 16 homers and 41 RBI in 2015 were both career-highs.The first-round pick of the Marlins in 2006, he is a .268 career hitter with 46 homers and 199 RBI in seven seasons with the Marlins and Cubs.