Coco's future

[BSN07]

I figure with Schilling going down, and Coco's attitude towards being a back up, we might get some movement on this front.

 

 

Will Coco Crisp [stats] be with the team on Opening Day?

 

If we were the betting kind, we’d say no.

 

For what it’s worth, the Red Sox [team stats] are taking the politically correct route here. The Sox are saying that Crisp is a candidate to start in center field and that competition is a healthy thing. At the same time, keeping Ellsbury on the bench or sending him to the minor leagues will do absolutely no good at this stage because the kid needs to play, just as Dustin Pedroia [stats] needed to play last year.

 

The good news? Though Crisp has underperformed in Boston, he is signed for the next two years at a total of $10.5 million in base salary with an $8 million option (or $500,000 buyout) for 2010. For a center fielder in this day and age, that’s short money. Given the Schilling situation, don’t be surprised if the Sox package Crisp with a prospect and try to get themselves a durable starter for the middle of their rotation.

 

Again, they don’t need an ace here.

 

 

Where does everyone think he will end up? And if traded to who and for what? These don't have to be credited sources, but lets atleast try for them to make some sort of sense.

[MANNYHOF24]

I figure with Schilling going down, and Coco's attitude towards being a back up, we might get some movement on this front.

 

 

 

 

 

Where does everyone think he will end up? And if traded to who and for what? These don't have to be credited sources, but lets atleast try for them to make some sort of sense.

 

Coco, for Roy Oswalt. Straight up.

[BSN07]

Coco' date=' for Roy Oswalt. Straight up.[/quote']

 

Thank you Manny for giving an example of what not to say....

[Cocos Disciples]

Wheres the quote from bosoxnation?

[MANNYHOF24]

Thank you Manny for giving an example of what not to say....

 

Thanks bosoxnation07 for giving an example of how to be a dick.

 

Haha, just messing, anyways I think we can get a servicable starter for Coco and a few prospects. I don't really know who's available though...

[MANNYHOF24]

It's too bad they Dodgers had to sign Andruw Jones because we could have possibly made a play at D-Lowe. However, with no need at CF, that won't happen.

[TheKilo]

It's too bad they Dodgers had to sign Andruw Jones because we could have possibly made a play at D-Lowe. However' date=' with no need at CF, that won't happen.[/quote']

 

No thanks. Did you watch Derek Lowe in 2004?

[jacksonianmarch]

Blanton is available and the A's like Crisp. But if the asking price is what the Dodgers heard, then the sox dont have much of a chance. Ethier, LaRoche, plus a pitching prospect. Quite a haul

[MANNYHOF24]

No thanks. Did you watch Derek Lowe in 2004?

 

Yes, but that was one really bad season. The guy eats innings (200+ 4 out of the last 5 years) and would put up a 4.20-4.45 era which would be pretty darn good for this rotation. Plus he was balls in the postseason that year. If you look at his career as a starter 2004 was an abiration in his stats. I know he went to the NL, but I dont think that is going to take 2 full runs of your ERA.

[Jayhawk Bill]

No thanks. Did you watch Derek Lowe in 2004?

 

My understanding was that John Henry refused to allow Theo to negotiate with Lowe's agent because he disapproved of Lowe's character and ethics.

 

***

 

I look back at Lowe in 2003 and, especially, 2004 and I suspect a substance abuse issue that he's since overcome. No proof...JMVHO.

 

If so, power to DLowe, and it's best that he not return.

[rician blast]

I seem to remember hearing that he was a legendary skirt-chaser and that plus some other extra-curricular activity (boozing) was not appreciated by the FO.

[elsrbueno]

There's a major problem with trading Coco Crisp right now-- not many teams need a CF.

 

I took a breeze through the MLB.com depth charts and saw very few teams without established centerfielders already in place:

 

The Reds list Ryan Freel as their #1 CF. Of course, it's only a matter of time before Jay Bruce steps in and they're probably looking for a more short term option. Even if they were interested in Coco, what would they give up that could help the Sox? They are looking to ADD a pitcher.

 

Oakland's already been mentioned, and they could probably use a good centerfielder. With Blanton on the block this framework makes some sense, but what else would they want? They're looking to contend 2 or 3 years down the road so they'd undoubtedly ask for the likes of Lowrie / Bowden / Masterson in addition.

 

White Sox-- I'm not sold on Swisher as a center fielder. If you ask me he's much better suited to a corner spot but he's wasted at first. Konerko's there long term so my GUESS is that he ends up slotting in left long term. However, they've got options in center (most notably Jerry Owens) and they don't have a ton of SP depth to deal from (Buerle, Vazquez, Contreras is the top 3 with Danks / Floyd as the 4/5).

 

The Cardinals can't realistically think Rick Ankiel's an everyday center fielder, but whoever starts the season in center for them is merely keeping the spot warm for Colby Rasmus... and they are even thinner in the SP department.

 

The Twins are interesting because Carlos Gomez hasn't proven a thing and could potentially use some time in AAA, but they're rotation is full of rookies... the best case senario here is a prospect and the Red Sox already have those...

 

The Giants have a weak OF but the last thng they need is another speed guy. I'd love the Sox to get their hands on a Matt Cain, but if they wouldn't do it for Rios they won't do it for Crisp...

 

I'm not a big Edmonds fan but you've got to think the Padres plan on playing him, and the back end of their rotation is all gamble free agents (Wolf/Prior)

 

The Orioles make some sense because Adam Jones (or Crisp himself) could shift over to left field, but they move slower than molasses on potential trades. Angelos likes to kill trades but Crisp would give them some credibility NOW so he might be interested. That having been said the Orioles added about 10 pitchers over the offseason but not many of them would be upgrades over the Sox' current options.

 

Really, that's it. Seems like the A's are the best fit but they may ask for the moon for Blanton.

 

Another thought is that Corey Patterson and Kenny Lofton are still free agents, and many teams who would consider a CF may try to get one of those 2 on the cheap before trading talent (especially pitching talent) for Crisp.

[Khan]

I seem to remember hearing that he was a legendary skirt-chaser and that plus some other extra-curricular activity (boozing) was not appreciated by the FO.

 

Similar story to Cabbie.

[das11209]

Coco's future - 4th outfielder or ballboy with RedSox - apparently noone wants the greatest CF after Willy Mays even at a discounted price. I wonder why the FO of other baseball teams don't look at all the VORP or whatever posted on this site.

[Jayhawk Bill]

There's a major problem with trading Coco Crisp right now-- not many teams need a CF.

 

There's a major advantage, though: the Red Sox have an excellent five-man starting rotation already in place. Tavarez is also capable of starting. There are reasonable prospects as well. Boston could use another proven MLB starting pitcher--they don't need one. Starting 2008 with Ellsbury in AAA if Coco, Manny, JD and Kielty are all healthy is a perfectly reasonable option. Some team's CF won't perform--that's the opportunity in May if there's no interest now. By June and July, starting pitchers in their contract years will be available from non-contending teams, and Coco is an asset through 2010 at reasonable price.

 

FWIW, I'd add the Pirates to your list of current candidates, though. YMMV. :dunno:

 

Another thought is that Corey Patterson and Kenny Lofton are still free agents, and many teams who would consider a CF may try to get one of those 2 on the cheap before trading talent (especially pitching talent) for Crisp.

 

Lofton is flat-out old, probably too old to be considered a full-time MLB CF. He fields about as well as Bill Hall in CF these days...except that Bill Hall won't be back in CF this year.

 

Patterson won't come cheap, and his career OBP is .298. He's not ideal, either.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I'd like to talk to the A's, but not about Blanton...Rich Harden

 

I know he has injury issues but I find him extremely intriguing. He has some of the best stuff in MLB when on the field. I won't place him in the category of Mark Prior / Kerry Wood at the moment. Right now his price can't be extreme based on his recent problems. Another nice option: he could be a flame thrower in the bullpen if we didn't need him in the rotation.

[TheKilo]

I'd like to talk to the A's, but not about Blanton...Rich Harden

 

I know he has injury issues but I find him extremely intriguing. He has some of the best stuff in MLB when on the field. I won't place him in the category of Mark Prior / Kerry Wood at the moment. Right now his price can't be extreme based on his recent problems. Another nice option: he could be a flame thrower in the bullpen if we didn't need him in the rotation.

 

So you're advocating putting someone who can't stay healthy in a role they've never experienced before.

[kreinbihl34]

Beane won't move him. He banking on the same idea as you are, hoping he stays healthy for one season, then moving him for a nice ransom. Right now Harden would net one great spect and a couple of mediocre ones. One great season and that net becomes two, maybe three can't miss spects.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Beane won't move him. He banking on the same idea as you are' date=' hoping he stays healthy for one season, then moving him for a nice ransom. Right now Harden would net one great spect and a couple of mediocre ones. One great season and that net becomes two, maybe three can't miss spects.[/quote']

 

Given his problems you can bet he is cheaper than Joe Blanton who is coming off a solid season. For all the talk about Blanton I would be more interested in giving up less for Harden. True he has injury problems but I'd take the gamble.

 

Certainly I'm coming up with this on my own and have seen no indications anywhere this is a possibility. I think it would have to be someone with the upside of a Rich Harden to be wothy of giving up decent players.

 

Honest opinion..nobody is getting traded and the Red Sox are going with Clay Buchholz as they should. The kid has the arsenal, attitude, and athleticism to make it in the bigs.

[Gom]

Given his problems you can bet he is cheaper than Joe Blanton who is coming off a solid season. For all the talk about Blanton I would be more interested in giving up less for Harden.

Which is exactly why he won't be traded. His upside is much higher than Blanton, so why move him at a low point? If he has another injury-plagued year, he would net pretty much the same prospects as he would now. If he has a good year, stays injury free, he's be moved for a king's ransom. Come on, SITN, you're brighter than that.

[kreinbihl34]

Given his problems you can bet he is cheaper than Joe Blanton who is coming off a solid season. For all the talk about Blanton I would be more interested in giving up less for Harden. True he has injury problems but I'd take the gamble.

 

Certainly I'm coming up with this on my own and have seen no indications anywhere this is a possibility. I think it would have to be someone with the upside of a Rich Harden to be wothy of giving up decent players.

 

Honest opinion..nobody is getting traded and the Red Sox are going with Clay Buchholz as they should. The kid has the arsenal, attitude, and athleticism to make it in the bigs.

 

Actually I'm willing to bet Beane wants more for Harden, I don't have any proof it's just a feeling. Beane is one of the smartest people in baseball. He knows what Blanton can pull in and what Harden can.

 

Blanton is at the perfect point to trade away. Harden traded now would probably net an equal value.

 

Neither will be traded yet, someone is eventually going to be sticken with injuries and give in to Beane's demands for Blanton mid-season.

 

Harden, if healthy for 3/4 of the season will be traded sometime during winter meetings next year.

[Ray10]

I hope Coco's future involves being traded in the coming days.

[a700hitter]

Not me. Our 4th OF always gets a lot of playing time.

[das11209]

Not me. Our 4th OF always gets a lot of playing time.

 

I like Coco as a 4th OF - I hope now he sees there is no market for him he sucks it up and plays hard for us.

[ORS]

Not me. Our 4th OF always gets a lot of playing time.

I agree. He's perfect for the role too. Switch hitter, excellent speed, excellent D. I'd be hesitant to give him up for a marginal extra starter.

[soxfan17881]

Blanton is available and the A's like Crisp. But if the asking price is what the Dodgers heard' date=' then the sox dont have much of a chance. Ethier, LaRoche, plus a pitching prospect. Quite a haul[/quote']

Boston.com asserts Bean wanting Ellsbury and Lowry (sounds logical.) I still really cringe at the propect of giving up Ellsbury. I still believe that the chances are great that Ellsbury ends up a perennial star.

 

Here's the story: Schilling pact not insured

[YAZMAN]

I agree. He's perfect for the role too. Switch hitter' date=' excellent speed, excellent D. I'd be hesitant to give him up for a marginal extra starter.[/quote']

 

He could be a frequent late game defensive replacement for Drew or Manny, playing CF and moving Ellsbury to the outside. Plus, you know both Drew and Manny will have some DL time to cover. He'd get decent PT.

[Khan]

He could be a frequent late game defensive replacement for Drew or Manny' date=' playing CF and moving Ellsbury to the outside. Plus, you know both Drew and Manny will have some DL time to cover. He'd get decent PT.[/quote']

 

And as a bonus he can provide speed off the bench on the base paths in the right spot.

[BSN07]

I think the Sox will go with what they got. They will keep Coco around until a SP is definately needed or he starts to be a problem. Or until somone desperately needs a CF, and Theo can get more then he would normally be able to get for Crisp.

 

The only thing is when the hell will Kielty play?

[BudLight]

Looks like Coco will make his intentions known:

 

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7819848/Crisp-could-ask-Red-Sox-for-a-trade