First, here’s the story if you haven’t read it yet.
Sports Radio 810 said the Royals had acquired the 29-year-old Crisp, who hit .283 with seven homers, 41 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 361 at-bats in 2008. Crisp, who will earn $5.7 million in 2009 with a 2010 club option worth $8 million or a $500,000 buyout, started 98 games in center field for Boston but had to share playing time because of the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury.
(SI.com has confirmed the report – it’s official)
My immediate reactions:
1. Yay!! David DeJesus can now play left field full time! As a CF,DeJesus is good enough, but when he plays left he’s one of the best in the game. I’ve been hoping KC could find someone to play center every day who is not Joey Gathright, but didn’t think it was possible given the market and budget constraints.
With DeJesus in left and Crisp in center, that’s the start of a pretty good (and rangey!) defensive outfield. Yeah, then there’s Jose Guillen in right, but that’s another concern for another offseason, I think.
2. This lends credence to the Mark Teahen to the Cubs rumors, but now suggests it will be for one of the infielders (SS Ronny Cedeno or 2B Mike Fontenot) instead of Felix Pie.
Crisp will play as an ever-so-slight offensive upgrade to Teahen except with a little less power. In 2008, Crisp walked more and struck out less, so he fits in with Dayton Moore’s OBP plan a little bit better than certain other acquisitions thus far.
Mark Teahen stats: Baseball-reference and FanGraphs (which includes Bill James and Marcel projections)
Coco Crisp stats: Baseball-reference and FanGraphs
3. I rather liked RamRam, and wonder who will take his spot in the bullpen. This move definitely dashes the hopes of people who were hoping that Ramirez would emerge as the new closer as Joakim Soria is eased into a starter’s role.
That said, I think trading Ramirez for Crisp straight-up is fabulous, and offer some form of applause to Moore for pulling it off.
4. I have to think at this point, after trading away two relievers, that Ron Mahay will stick around, and John Bale will find himself in the bullpen to start 2009 (which is as it should be).
More thoughts later…I have homework now. :(
Labels: baseball, news, roster moves, Royals, trades
No related posts.
1 comment
<img src="http://www.blogger.c
November 19, 2008 at 10:09 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I love it. I’m not a huge Coco Crisp fan, but he makes sense for our team and in this trade. Plus, giving up a middle reliever (even one that appeared to have upside) for an everyday player that fits a need is a win.I still wouldn’t mind seeing Pie come over in a deal. I think its obvious that Mark Teahan will probably be moved (unless Gload and Shealy find new homes and Teahan, Callaspo and German all end up being super utility guys) and I think DM is a guy that might go for the most upside regardless of position. If he sees Pie as being a much better Joey Gathright that could take over next year if we buy out Crisp’s contract, then I could see him still making the deal. Although, I kind of like Mike Fontenot, so that might be a solid move too. Either way, I think the team is better next year than it was this year, and if it all clicks for a couple of guys, there could be a much higher win total.