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Rays Considering Crisp?
We've seen Coco Crisp's name connected to Tampa Bay's outfield need before. Marc Lancaster tossed out the idea on Sunday. Today, Buster Olney writes:
The Rays are searching for an outfielder who can hit left-handed, and now that they have tried and failed to sign Kenny Lofton, they are also taking a look at Coco Crisp; Tampa Bay is loaded with a wide range of pitching prospects, so it would seem that Boston could find a fit if it wanted to make a deal.
The fact remains that at $11MM over the 2008-09 seasons, Crisp is too expensive to carry as a fourth outfielder. Using him in right diminishes his value, and the Rays probably don't want to move B.J. Upton again. So this isn't the perfect fit for Tampa Bay; they'd probably need Boston to eat some salary. The one pitcher I could see them sending over for Crisp is Edwin Jackson.
But then there's still the same division factor. Does either team really want to risk improving the other? These aren't your daddy's Rays; this team could be more than a thorn in Boston's side in 2008.
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Edwin Jackson wouldn't be the guy coming over. The Sox roster can't accommodate another pitcher that's out of options. (They already need to cut or trade 2 of them.)
Posted by: TNS | March 20, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Coco...ughh...isn't this an up and coming young team that could surprise a few teams this year...that guy is a waste.
I once heard a rumor about the rays targeting Reggie Willits, now there's a speedster with some talent, seems like it'd be a good fit for the Angels, as they could use some pitching help with Lackey and Escobar out of commission for a bit, Edwin or JP Howell would seem to make sense...just a thought.
There's always Barry...
Posted by: Bigrotonerd2000 | March 20, 2008 at 01:06 PM
This current Sox regime has made deals within the division before, albeit minor ones (in '06 they got Javy Lopez from BAL and Eric Hinske from TOR in trades). I think the Red Sox won't make deals with teams they perceive to be playoff competition, so that shouldn't keep them from making a deal with Tampa.
I'd agree the Sox won't have much interest in Jackson not just because of his lack of options: he sucks. Olney is right that Tampa is loaded with pitching prospects, but I really think the Sox want a catching prospect more in any possible Crisp deal.
Posted by: JakeOD21 | March 20, 2008 at 01:08 PM
I too doubt that the Crisp thing would work, if only because the Rays are now players in the ALEast.
If what they want is a fouth OF, my Giants would be more than happy to deal them Dave Roberts for someone like Jackson. We'll make room for him. Dave would provide some veteran presence for a young club (and Sox fans would still have to express their love for him, every time he stole a base against them).
Posted by: BigO | March 20, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Roberts makes more sense.
Crisp is right where he should be. Overpaid bench player for the Red Sox. He is a fine insurance policy if someone gets hurt in the OF.
Posted by: XD23 | March 20, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Well with as many OF Texas has, and with the injury concerns with the rotation, im sure Texas and Fl could work something out.
Posted by: laxtonto | March 20, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Coco Crisp has said repeatedly this offseason that he has zero interest in being a bench player. Why dont people get this? If he stays in Boston he'll turn into a clubhouse cancer. Those of us who follow the Sox closely have already seen in the past that Crisp is capable of having a horrible attitude.
Posted by: nickname | March 20, 2008 at 02:06 PM
well nickname, i have to disagree. Crisp is a nice guy in a rough spot right now. a centerfielder that comes along on a team maybe once every 10 to 20 years has come along in ellsbury and we dont need crisp anymore, it sucks. hes not really having a bad attitude, he figures hes young, good defensively with a consistent enough bat to not be a utility guy, im inclined to agree. once your a utility guy, your one for the rest of your career with very few exceptions. i dont remember any real situation where crisp acted like, lets say, shea hillenbrand. but you are right, if he stays with the team, he will drag the clubhouse down
Posted by: 04Forever | March 20, 2008 at 02:23 PM
I think the Red Sox would ditch the Coreys/Snyders/Aardsmas of the world for Edwin. I could be wrong.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | March 20, 2008 at 02:51 PM
if the sox traded crisp/corey/synder/aardsmas for howell or sonnanstine, i think they should do it. might as well throw in lowrie and make a run a kazmir though. i doubt this will happen, you should almost never trade in the division unless its vital, besides, no need in making the rays even stronger, although i do think i understand where your coming from
Posted by: 04Forever | March 20, 2008 at 03:26 PM
I didnt say Coco has shown that he has a bad attitude. I said he has done stuff since coming to Boston to indicate he wouldnt handle a demotion well. There have been times where he has been snippy with the press, or made some rather silly comments. While that's all well and good, it leads me to believe he will cause a problem if he doesnt get his way. He's a nice enough guy but he could easily become the 08 Jay Payton if he ends up staying and being a 4th outfielder.
Posted by: nickname | March 20, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Which, exactly as in the Payton situation, is a damn shame, because if he'd just shut up and do his job, there is PLENTY of PT in the Boston OF to go around. Between Ellsbury and Drew, you have to figure Crisp would start almost every game vs a lefty, and between Manny, Drew, and Ortiz being various combinations of old, injury-risk, and plain crazy, there would be a ton of additional spot starts for Crisp. Just like with Payton in '05 (swap out Drew and Ellsbury for Nixon and Damon). There's no way Crisp gets fewer than 300 ABs, and I'd guess more like 400+.
Posted by: asm | March 20, 2008 at 04:57 PM
The Red Sox need to hold onto Crisp. Call me crazy but Ellsbury hasn't quite sold me on being a superstar in 08. There are still plenty of things that can go wrong with the guy (poor performance, injury, etc). Throw in Drew and his propensity for injury and having a solid 4th outfielder makes a lot of sense for the Sox.
And of course the guy wants to play everyday. He won't be happy riding pine. Oh well. He gets paid $6m a year. Suck it up and deal with it. Clubhouse cancer is highly overrated and I don't think for a minute that it will have any impact on a professional and mature team like the Sox.
Posted by: bjsguess | March 20, 2008 at 05:39 PM