Coco Crisp: Can't handle Boston or slow recovering from injury?

[guapo34]

The general opinion on this board throughout the year seems to be that Coco Crisp has been a disapointment. Some people have concluded that the injury can't be blames because he doesn't seem to be turning around and hes been back for a while. I've decided to look at his numbers going back 5 weeks to July 7th. He ended a long slump that day going 2/4.

 

Since July 7th hes gone 40/132 with 9 bb's, 9 2b, 1 3b, and 2 HR. He has posted a line of 303/362/432 avg/obp/slg and an OPS of .794. These aren't great numbers but i think they're better than most people realize. The only number down from his last years number was his slg%.

 

I think hes going to be around for a while and I don't think thats a bad thing.

[Soxfan1]

If he has never been injured then he would be a lot better then he is today.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Those aren't bad numbers but its not "all-star" caliber numbers. I was hoping Coco Crisp could be a 20-20 guy. I didn't get to see him a lot in Cleveland but I felt his power was increasing and he was turning into a base-stealing threat. His low total of RBI is also a cause for concern.

 

His defense has been decent but his arm is....interesting. Its a better arm than Johnny Damon's but that doesn't say much. He is deffinitly not as bad as some have made him out to be and still young.

[TheKilo]

Those aren't bad numbers but its not "all-star" caliber numbers. I was hoping Coco Crisp could be a 20-20 guy. I didn't get to see him a lot in Cleveland but I felt his power was increasing and he was turning into a base-stealing threat. His low total of RBI is also a cause for concern.

 

His defense has been decent but his arm is....interesting. Its a better arm than Johnny Damon's but that doesn't say much. He is deffinitly not as bad as some have made him out to be and still young.

 

 

He won't be a 20-20 guy this year, but I've got to think the hand was btohering him even after he came back.

 

He just needs to get healthy.

[Cityofchampions33]

Yeah, I was hoping for a .320+ average, like 20+ SBs and a few bigflies. But the injury really took a lot out of him. Plus, we brought him here to elad-off, but Youk can do that. So in the bottom of the order he's just like anotehr Cora or someone.

[BoSox34]

I wouldn't say he can't handle Boston. He's a pretty outgoing guy and he gets along great with the media and the fans, unlike Edgar Renteria. The injury obviously has taken it's toll on him this season but he's been looking more comfortable at the plate recently and has been starting to heat up so hopefully we see a turnaround these last couple months.

[Matt]

I don't think Coco that has trouble playing in the Boston limelight, I just don't think he fits in well with this lineup. Coco doesn't walk enough to bat leadoff, he's an average defensive centerfielder, and his basestealing ability doesn't fit in with the Red Sox philosophy. While I believe that Coco is a good player, he's simply not the type of player who fits the Red Sox everyday gameplan. I think that Theo will try to deal him before his contract runs out for some pitching help, thus making room for Jacoby Ellsbury in CF.

[Jon_Papelboner]

Neither. He was never really good.

[ORS]

Neither. He was never really good.

In what way? He put up a 119 OPS+ as a 25 y/o. That's pretty good for a guy who has yet to hit prime years, especially for one who has the athletic ability to play a middle of the field defensive position.

 

On topic, hand/wrist injuries are tricky. It takes a while, even after the pain is gone, to get the 'feel' back for a lot of players. Loretta injured his thumb ligament twice and had to endure 100+ games of less than mediocre play both times before he got his stroke back. Nomar's wrist? I don't think I need to go into that one for everyone here.

 

I'm encouraged, but not surprised, by the last month or so. Given the way he was playing in ST and out of the gate, it was only a matter of time before things started clicking again.

[Dana Kiecker]

You think he has a better arm than Judas?

 

I havent seen it.

[yeszir]

He should spend less time doing commercials and more time playing good baseball.

[DirtDog]

The injury excuse is well over. He hasn't been what we expected, but he hasn't been that bad. He's been decent lately, but nothing to write home about. This shouldn't be a concern. We are 2nd in the AL in runs scored, it's not a huge roadblock. We got by with Darren Lewis and Damond Buford type players in the past.

[TheKilo]

The injury excuse is well over. He hasn't been what we expected, but he hasn't been that bad. He's been decent lately, but nothing to write home about. This shouldn't be a concern. We are 2nd in the AL in runs scored, it's not a huge roadblock. We got by with Darren Lewis and Damond Buford type players in the past.

 

 

You think Crisp is comparable to Buford and Lewis?

[Cityofchampions33]

Coco doesn't walk enough to bat leadoff, he's an average defensive centerfielder, and his basestealing ability doesn't fit in with the Red Sox philosophy. While I believe that Coco is a good player, he's simply not the type of player who fits the Red Sox everyday gameplan. I think that Theo will try to deal him before his contract runs out for some pitching help, thus making room for Jacoby Ellsbury in CF.

 

I agree that he doesn't walk enough, but if he hits .330, which he can, then that won't really matter. And what do you mean his baserunning ability doens't fit in with our philosophy? I eman if you can steal a base without gettin caught, no one should really ahve a problem with that, plus it' not like we went after him for his power, we got him for speed.

[DirtDog]

You think Crisp is comparable to Buford and Lewis?

 

In terms of identical statistical numbers or barely adequate contributing centerfielders? The first terms I do not know, but I was refering to the later.

[jacksonianmarch]

Just another reason why you don't let proven talent that proves it can play in Boston for the unknown. JD was an icon, you dont let icon's walk away over what amounted to a small difference of worth. I honestly think that of all the offseason moves made, the one that has assured the sox of being in this spot they are in right now is letting Damon go to the yankees. If Damon is a red sox right now, the yankees are 5 back and drowning.

[Dana Kiecker]

Wow you guys are going over the edge..

 

If his name isnt Papi you want no part of him..

[Dana Kiecker]

You want JD 5 years from now?

[jsinger121]

You want JD 5 years from now?

 

I know I wouldn't

[TheKilo]

In terms of identical statistical numbers or barely adequate contributing centerfielders? The first terms I do not know, but I was refering to the later.

 

 

Buford and Lewis can't hold Crisp's jock.

 

The sentiments here are amazing, really.

[Dana Kiecker]

Of course the Pedro factor...

 

Would you want 3 years of Pedro and a probable injury riddled 4th?

 

or

 

JD for any amount of time.after 3 years.

 

 

Case Closed.

[noonanberg]

Crisp is fine. I think it took longer to regain form after the injury than maybe it should have, but it happens. he has been swinging a better bat lately, and his glove can't really be questioned. i may be wrong, but i think i heard 15 steals already? not bad on a team that doesnt really steal. i think crisp is fine, so far no he hasnt outperformed Damon, but he still might. he's not a bad guy at all to have in CF. if a prospect comes along who proves to be better, great, play him. until then, i'm fine with crisp in center. it's certainly not the biggest of our problems.

[jacksonianmarch]

You want JD 5 years from now?

 

Nope, but the yankees wont have him either. The sox team is built for now, and as much as theo has fooled the fan base, there really isnt much below the majors in terms of talent ready to help anytime soon (aside from Pedroia). If you are built for the now, then yu embrace it with both hands and go full bore. Letting Damon go and getting Crisp is a move for the future. If you have too much future and too much now on a team, your direction is unknown and you end up as the sox are, a mediocre team overall.

[jsinger121]

Nope, but the yankees wont have him either. The sox team is built for now, and as much as theo has fooled the fan base, there really isnt much below the majors in terms of talent ready to help anytime soon (aside from Pedroia). If you are built for the now, then yu embrace it with both hands and go full bore. Letting Damon go and getting Crisp is a move for the future. If you have too much future and too much now on a team, your direction is unknown and you end up as the sox are, a mediocre team overall.

 

Jacoby Ellsbury will be ready very soon maybe by the end of next year.

[Whos Your Papi]

I think he is getting back from the injury now. Alot of you are saying "the injury excuse is getting old". Well if you look at the stats in august he doesn't need an excuse.

 

August - .313 avg, 15 hits, 2 2b, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 7 K, 5 SB, .365 OBP, .417 SLG, .782 OPS

 

Just give it time, wrist injurys are hard to recover from specially in baseball where your wrist are a major factor in everything you do outside of running the bases. Sure his arm is not great, but his fielding is above average as is his base running. And I think by the end of the year we will all be thinking his bat is above average as well.

[Beckett95]

You think Crisp is comparable to Buford and Lewis?

 

he is putting up similar numbers to Buford.

 

Bufords first year with boston he hit .282 with a .349 obp, 10 HR, 9 SB in 90 games

 

Coco's projected at .276 with a .327 obp, 8 HR, 26 SB in 120 games. The only thing better about Coco is the SB.

 

Maybe Willie Mcgee is a better comparison

[jacksonianmarch]

Jacoby Ellsbury will be ready very soon maybe by the end of next year.

 

He just made the jump to AA, dont give me that. If you bring him up this yr or even next yr, he will be overexposed. He still needs the rest of this yr and the rest of next yr before he is ready. You preach patience and then you show none.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think he is getting back from the injury now. Alot of you are saying "the injury excuse is getting old". Well if you look at the stats in august he doesn't need an excuse.

 

August - .313 avg, 15 hits, 2 2b, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 7 K, 5 SB, .365 OBP, .417 SLG, .782 OPS

 

Just give it time, wrist injurys are hard to recover from specially in baseball where your wrist are a major factor in everything you do outside of running the bases. Sure his arm is not great, but his fielding is above average as is his base running. And I think by the end of the year we will all be thinking his bat is above average as well.

 

his wrist was fine, it was a finger.

[jsinger121]

He just made the jump to AA, dont give me that. If you bring him up this yr or even next yr, he will be overexposed. He still needs the rest of this yr and the rest of next yr before he is ready. You preach patience and then you show none.

 

When you hit at every level like he has its hard to keep someone down there forever. He will likely stay in Portland for a month or 2 and make the jump to Pawtucket. You don't keep good hitters like him lagging in the minors forever. As I said he will be ready by the end of 2007.

[Dana Kiecker]

I believe Cocoa had whats called a "Boxers Break" in his hand...

 

Ive had them on both hands...

 

The treatments are great and believe me I can turn wrenches all day without pain ( Im a plumber), but the moment I pick up a golf club or a bat it hurts like the day after I broke it..

 

The doctor says ill just have to deal with it..

 

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/upperfx/g/boxers.htm?terms=hand+treatment