A's Revive Talks For Crisp

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A's and Red Sox are "believed to be discussing Coco Crisp again."  Slusser wonders whether the Sox could target Chris Denorfia.

Crisp is guaranteed $11MM over the next two seasons, assuming his 2010 option is bought out.  Oakland seems like a nice fit for Crisp as they seem likely to fully appreciate the value of his tough-to-quantify defense. 

There seems only a slim chance Crisp makes the Japan trip with the Sox.  He's making progress on his groin injury, but any acquiring team is probably going to want to see him in games first.

Comments

[Andrew]

Denorfia, a young, talented, and most of all cheap player, for Crisp wouldn't really make sense for Oakland, unless the Sox kick in most or all of Crisp's salary, which is something I seriously doubt they would do.

[MarkEllisforMVP]

this makes zero sense to me. Why would the A's trade Denorfia? With him their outfield is set and they don't need any more outfielders. Bringing in Crisp makes zero sense too, because of his contract, and his age he would be blocking guys like Carlos Gonzalez, Ryan Sweeney, etc.

[ArodSucksAtLife]

Catching prospect, bullpen arm, not another 4th outfielder.

[green_and_gold]

This would only be a good deal if the A's don't have to give up much. Crisp is one of the best defensive outfielders in the game right now, and nobody likes good defense better than Beane.

Giving up Denorfia wouldn't really make a lot of sense. While there really isn't a true CF prospect in the system, Denorfia/Gonzo are more corner outfielders, this would take playing time away from another player's development.

The only place Crisp fits in is on the bench, which is why he wants to leave Boston in the first place. And Epstein has made it clear that he's not giving away Crisp cheap, so I don't know why this rumor keeps getting brought up.

Keeping Denorfia rather than trading him for Crisp makes a lot more sense.

[celtics464]

Since the A's have to rebuild and they do their best work dealing away pitchers Crisp makes perfect sense. He will lower ERA and WHIP #'s and Bean will be able to get even more for Blanton at the trade deadline. Thats what this is all about. They have no chance at winning anything for a couple seasons so why not bring in a guy who can make all the pitchers numbers look a little more friendly to potential trade partners?

[Bleacher_Buddha]

With the fragility of Jim Edmonds I would think the Padres would make sense.

[asm]

celtics has it right. Crisp is a wizard defensively, and that OF at the Coliseum is huge. I think it would make sense for Beane to acquire a player like Crisp -- just not for Denorfia. From reading the item it seemed like Slusser only said that because she had already mentioned Denorfia's name and was just tossing that out there, not like a real rumor. That's the way I read it anyway.

[Taj Adib]

Denorfia has been pretty disappointing so far this Spring for the A's, which is understandable given that he sat out all of last season with TJ surgery. He's got talent, but if the A's could get known-quantity Crisp to solidify their outfield defense for the next few seasons, allowing Buck and Carlos Gonzalez to man the corners, then you've got a very good defensive outfield with two young, plus bats in the corners and a speedy switch hitter in the lineup.

Denorfia + Santiago Casilla (or other bullpen piece) for Crisp seems like it could work for both parties.

[darkstar1661]

Its reported like the Sox almost want to dump Crisp, but I don’t think it’s the case. The team really needs him more than needs to trade him, and although he might be upset that he could be on the bench from time to time ~ he will still get almost a seasons worth of games in backing up Manny/Drew/Ellsbury.

If the BoSox trade Crisp, you would almost have to think they would be going after maybe Byrd from Tex or Payton from Balt next. They would almost certainly want a RH backup to Ellsbury with some experience, and Denorfia being young/inexperienced/off-injury then I wouldn’t think they would be too comfortable with him in an OF next to oft-injured Drew/Manny/Kielty. Denorfia might be the type that interests Tex or Balt more though (they both seem reluctant to trade their back-up CFers), so maybe its almost a 3-team deal being worked up…

[MickS]

I think everyone is over-rating Crisp's defense. Yes, he's got range and makes acrobatic catches but his arm is terrible. I'd call him a better than average defensive OF but a "wizard defensively"? I don't think so.

[arly2380]

this trade is possible if any happens...

Boston picks up at least 1/2 of crisp contract
A's dont have to give up any top prospects (maybe trade from depth of relievers/5th SP types)
if A's give up something of value (top prospect or one of their main trade chips) i'd like to expand it to a bigger deal and pry lowrie away

my guess who boston may target...

landon powell- they need catching depth
relievers- casilla, brown, blevins etc

[G.H. Hecks]

Trade proposal: Coco Crisp, Chris Carter and Dustin Richardson to Oakland for Huston Street

Rationale for Red Sox acquiring Huston Street: He will serve primarily as a Super Set Up man for the Sox but also more than capable to step in and act as closer when resting Papelbon over the course of the season to help prevent arm fatigue in Sept and Oct for Papelbon. He also obviously serves as insurance should Pap actually suffer an injury. If Street and Pap are both healthy however the Sox have a better version of the Rivera/Stanton combo the yanks had in the 90's.

Rationale for the A's: Beane is known to not put a high value on relievers as he feels a team can "create" closers (part of his rationale in letting Foulke go after 03) and Street is entering his 4th season so he is going to get more expensive in coming years; essentially pricing himself out of the A's business model by the time their current re-building plans begin to pay dividends in a few years. Chris Carter is quintessential OBP man with a .382 lifetime OBP in Minors. We all know the value Billy Beane places on OBP. Coco Crisp ranked 3rd in all of baseball last year in Center Field Defense and Beane is known to specifically covet Crisp's defensive ability. The A's can use a guy who covers ground the way Crisp does. Dustin Richardson is a 6'6" 220 pound 23 year old Lefty with high potential ceiling who would fit into Beane's current rebuilding plans as he is probably at least 2-3 years away from the majors - He has only pitched in A-ball thus far but put up very solid numbers - especially his K's.

[G.H. Hecks]

The Sox may have to eat 2 to 3 million of Crisps contract to make him fit Oaklands financial model.

[DeJay]

You are obviously a Red Sox fan. That trade makes absolutely no sense for the A's. They give up one of the best young closers in the league for an overpaid outfielder the Red Sox are struggling to give away, a 24 year old pitcher who has yet to play above A ball, and a non prospect in Chris Carter - the A's already have the good Chris Carter - why would they want the ok one too? Beane might not place a high value on relievers but he knows what Street is worth and he is not going to give him away for that collection of spare parts. Look at what Gagne got at the deadline - Street is younger, better and under control for three more years.

[G.H. Hecks]

In 500 AB's in AAA last year Chris Carter hit .324 with a .383 OBP and .521 Slugging %. That is a little better than OK.

You forget the A's are in a rebuilding phase.

Again - Street is entering his 4th season so he is going to get more expensive in coming years; essentially pricing himself out of the A's business model by the time their current re-building plans begin to pay dividends in a few years.

You may be correct though that Beane will want more than I laid out but remember there have been some injury concerns with Street which affects his value.