Mota's failed physical endangers Crisp trade
PHILADELPHIA --A deal that would send Indians outfielder Coco Crisp to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Guillermo Mota and third base prospect Andy Marte was endangered when the right-handed reliever failed a physical in Cleveland.
The uncertainty surrounding that trade also put in question a spinoff deal in which the Indians would send left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes to the Philadelphia Phillies for outfielder Jason Michaels.
A Phillies official, speaking on condition of anonymity because no deal was ever announced, said the Phillies and Indians still could end up making a trade.
Mota and Marte have not played for the Red Sox, having been acquired this winter in separate deals.
Marte, one of the top prospects in the Atlanta system, went to Boston for shortstop Edgar Renteria. But Boston needs a center fielder to replace Johnny Damon, who left for the New York Yankees as a free agent. Crisp batted .300 with 16 homers, 69 RBIs and stole 15 bases for the Indians.
The Red Sox were also expected to include catching prospect Kelly Shoppach in the Cleveland deal. The Indians had reportedly agreed to send reliever David Riske and backup catcher Josh Bard to Boston.
Mota was 2-2 with a 4.70 ERA and two saves in 56 games last season with the Florida Marlins. He spent about a month on the disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow.
Rhodes was 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 47 games with the Indians, but missed much of the final two months with a knee injury.
Michaels hit .304 with four homers and 31 RBIs and had a .399 on-base percentage while platooning with Kenny Lofton in center field for the Phillies. Last week, Michaels was placed on six months probation and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service for fighting a Philadelphia police officer last year.
The Phillies official also said Philadelphia has had conversations with Mike Piazza's agent, Dan Lozano. Piazza, a 12-time All-Star catcher and free agent, wasn't offered salary arbitration by the Mets last month. He would serve as a backup to Mike Lieberthal and also could play first base against some left-handed pitchers, allowing Ryan Howard to get time off.
The Yankees also are weighing whether to start negotiations for Piazza, who would join Bernie Williams as a designated hitter. A Yankees official said the club hadn't decided whether it was interested in Piazza, who has attracted little interest as a free agent.
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AP Sports Writers Jimmy Golen in Boston, Ron Blum in New York and Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.
