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Nats Considering Coco Crisp?

The Washington Post has a couple paragraphs on the possiblity of the Nationals trading for Coco Crisp. Crisp may be deemed expendable by Theo Epstein this winter because of the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury.

Crisp hit .268/.330/.382 this year; the solid power from his Cleveland days has not returned. We can write '06 off due to wrist injuries but Crisp's offense this year was disappointing. The 28 year-old at least played some fine center field defense. He earns $4.75MM in '08, $5.75MM in '09, and has an $8MM option with a $500K buyout for '10. The reasonable contract and possibility for a resurgence might catch Jim Bowden's eye. The Nats went with Nook Logan, Ryan Church, and others this year and received a .255/.321/.382 line. Just tossing a name out there - if Nick Johnson is healthy, is that a possible match for Boston?

I'll take Nick Johnson and move Youkilis to third. But why would Washington?

A lot of that depends on what happens to Mike Lowell. If he's back then of course there is no need for Nick Johnson.

Johnson is coming off an injury. This is now two surgeries on the same leg. He just had his second two months ago. So I'm not sure he's even an option. He sure did have a great year in 06, so if he's healthy then yeah it makes sense for Boston if Lowell is gone.

I'd still rather see Crisp in a package for a pitcher if at all possible.

sunshinekids99 wrote:I'd still rather see Crisp in a package for a pitcher if at all possible.

what possible scenarios do you see?

What pitcher? Not to say they're stacked, but the Red Sox just had the best pitching staff in all of baseball in 2007. And they'll be adding Buchholz and Lester will be healthier and presumably Daisuke will be better.

Though I guess they need a #4/#5 starter if they get rid of Schilling and Wakefield.

3B/1B is the biggest need for the team next year.

I think a number 3 or 4 starter would be a nice add for this team. You could keep Buchholz at 3 or 4 and have Lester be the number 5 guy.

Of course the problem lies where do you get this third starter from.

Here are some pitchers I've heard in rumors before(Note I'm not saying Crisp would get any of these guys straight up);

Dontrelle Willis- (I'd pass on him, asking price will be too high IMO)
Jon Garland- (Career numbers at Fenway suck)
Javier Vazquez- (I'd have no problems if the Sox could get him)
Kevin Millwood- (Good career numbers at Fenway, coming off a terrible year)

Braves might be in the market for a centerfielder, but I don't know if they have any interest in moving Smoltz or Hudson.

Pirates might be in the market, but really the only starter I'd see them offering is Matt Morris.


I suppose a lot really just depends on what happen to Mike Lowell this offseason. Also don't forget about Arod. If he's out there I'm sure the Sox will atleast make somewhat of a push for the guy.

Should be an interesting offseason like always for Boston.

Just heard we could be trading Crisp to the Braves for Kelly Johnson

I'd cream over that deal, but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense for Atlanta. They don't need a CF that badly.

Kelly Johnson is godlike. Move Pedroia to short, Johnson to second and voila. I'm sure someone will take Lugo if they throw in enough money.

Or can Johnson play third and thus allow Lowell to be let go? He's never played the position, but he plays LF and 2B so well that I wouldn't be surprised.

If you can get Johnson for Crisp you do it and then worry about what to do with Johnson.

What Boston needs desperately is a solid catcher prospect to start developing behind Jason.

Bleeding Green wrote:I'd cream over that deal, but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense for Atlanta. They don't need a CF that badly.

Kelly Johnson is godlike. Move Pedroia to short, Johnson to second and voila. I'm sure someone will take Lugo if they throw in enough money.

Or can Johnson play third and thus allow Lowell to be let go? He's never played the position, but he plays LF and 2B so well that I wouldn't be surprised.

If you can get Johnson for Crisp you do it and then worry about what to do with Johnson.

im not to familiar with him, would you just give me a brief idea of what hes about and what hed potentially bring to the table??? please

He's really athletic (he came through the system as a SS and was converted to the OF as he moved up the ladder). Then they converted him to second this year and he was awesome. He has tremendous power and patience for a middle infielder.

Chase Utley-lite.

Take AJ Burnett for some good prospects.

What about Crisp and a prospect(hansen?) going to Texas for Jarrod Saltalamacchia he is a great Catching prospect he could be Tek's future replacement...

How about Ellisbury for AJ Burnett.

We already have enough young pitching. We don't need to give up Ellsbury for another who's injured half the time and great the other half. Sox definitely got the better Marlins pitcher.

Saltalamacchia was the centerpiece of the Teixeira trade, they won't give him up for a no hit CF and a possible bust pitcher. The Rangers might be a good match because they have Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez in the minors, they could be good fits as Tek's replacement and will be blocked by Salty but they both have question marks. Ramirez is still a few years away and Teagarden is just getting over Tommy John surgery and hasn't been used behind the plate consistently since coming back. I like Teagarden though, I'd definitely do Crisp for him. mahalo
~Chach~

id rather give up max ramirez, i loved the progression teagarden showed as a hitter last year and hope he can regain his arm strength b/c if that happens we'll have maybe the top C in the minors. I love how Jonboy has stocked this system with catchers. we even have this 18 year old Cristian Santanna and he's going to be a stud too.

but i was just coming on here wanting to ask u bostonians what are the odds of Crisp being dealt.

And BG do you think you're overrating Crisp's value around baseball? id love to take him as a rangers fan but im just curious if he'll fetch back as much as you think

I have no idea what other people think of Crisp. I think his defense is otherworldly and that if he regains even some of his offensive ability from his Cleveland days that he's among the best CF in baseball. And for 5.5 mil a season, that's incredibly valuable.

I assume one of Crisp or Ellsbury will be dealt. Which one, I don't know. Probably whichever brings back the most value.

well ellsbury's value might not get higher b/c of his youth and him mashing in the WS, if he's not traded this off season i doubt he'd be traded provided he pans out into a great player.

but he'd obviously be involved in a huge deal for a guy like cabrera or santanna while id guess crisp would bring back a decent prospect or 2. id guess crisp in on his way out.

apparently the rangers are interested

The Texas Rangers have admitted all along they need a center fielder. They have admitted all along they would like Texas native Torii Hunter. Now it appears the Rangers may be ready to admit the cost for Hunter is too high.

The Dallas Morning News reported the possibility of a trade that would send reserve catcher Gerald Laird to the Boston Red Sox for Coco Crisp. While Crisp isn't Hunter, he would fill the gap in center and allow the Rangers to deal from strength.

Dallas Morning News (via Yahoo)

EDIT: and according to the Wiretap, so are the Twins

Laird? WTF? No thanks.

Max Ramirez plz.