Coco: 'I want to play'
Coco Crisp arrived at spring training today ready to take on Jacoby Ellsbury in the battle for the center field job. He spoke with the media at his locker upon coming in to the minor league complex. Though he did not say that he was looking for a trade now, he did say that it might become a conversation later in spring training, depending on what happens with the competition.
When reminded that his agent had said, in the offseason, that if Crisp didn't win the center field job it might be best to move him, Crisp was asked if those conversations might be revisited if Ellsbury wins the job.
"Honestly, I think so," Crisp said. "'Cause I want to play. Like I said, I wouldn't be happy sitting on the bench. A lot of people say, well, I don't deserve it. Well, that's understandable too. I didn't have a good offensive year like I did in the past. I think I proved myself that I can win healthy and shown that my defense is way better than what people thought. People think that my offense is terrible. Now it's time to show them that my offense really isn't. Went through a couple of bruised up years, everybody goest through that. Unfortunately I just went through that when I came over here to mega-media central."
When asked if he thought he was going to get a fair shot at winning the starting job in center field, Crisp said he didn't really know.
"I'm not sure," he said. "I'm not sure how everything's going to break down. I'm really unsure of a lot of things this year and, with that, all I can do is just go out there and, like I said, try to have fun like I did in the past. Just go station to station and go through the workout."
He said he didn't know how to rate how likely it was that he would break camp still with the Red Sox. He has been keeping track of trade rumors only through his agent, speculating on how it would feel to be with a team, say the Cubs. But other than that, he just worked out and played with his kids this offseason, knowing that he would have no control over his team for 2008.
As I go through my tape and transcribe Crisp's session with the media this morning, I'll be posting more thoughts from the incumbent center fielder.
"when healthy"
His offense is terrible... he hits like a girl, nagging bruises don't give him that feeble swing... he is a bench player in Boston and an average starter elsewhere. Excuses, excuses.
Coco is right. His offense is not so bad, and his defense has been terrific since he's been in Boston. Was his 2007 season any worse than J.D. Drew's, or Julio Lugo's?
The thing that really bothers me about Coco Crisp's comment is the idea that it's the media fault. Well then, Coco why did you do the commericals when you first arrived?
You brought this all upon yourself buddy.
Now go out there and be the leadoff man we thought you could so we can trade you for something better than a back up catcher.
It's pretty obvious he isn't going to get a "fair" shot...
Basically what I mean is that even if he posts slightly better stats than Ellsbury during spring training he won't get the starting nod for a few different reasons...
Mostly because of his spectacular September / postseason and also because the Sox don't wanna piss off the fans who love Ellsbury because of the limited action they've seen so far.
hopefully Coco actually worked during the offseason to get better and we'll have two great centerfield assets
So he had a bad offensive year.. so did Manny and Ortiz by their standards. How does everyone forget about the dozen or so web gem running and diving catches he had this year that saved a lot of runs?? People would not be piling on him if we didn't have Jacoby... Jacoby had a great post-season and good latter part of the season, but Coco has been a proven player for several years now. I think we need to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I am hoping we hold onto Coco. His offense has not been up to par for us, but I believe that is due to the nagging injuries that he speaks of. Excuses, yes, but valid excuses. He has shown he can be a .300 hitter in the past, and I have to believe he can approach that production again. All we need him to do is get on base, and let his speed take over. I would prefer to hold onto Coco, get him enough playing time to raise his trade value (shouldn't be hard) and revisit the situation come the trade deadline. I have a feeling that there will be plenty of playing time available (between late inning defensive replacements, and the inevitable Manny / JD time off). I think its unreasonable to expect Jacoby to take over day 1 and play 150+ games in his first full season. Can he do this? Sure, but thats an unnecessary risk.
CoCo is a great defensive outfielder that is so very rare in Boston. We love to watch him play! Even his warmups are entertaining. He changes batters plans. He's Ozzie Smith in the outfield.
Ellsbury is the future and he is ready to start now. Crisp needs to be traded!
Coco can play... don't discount a top center fielder's value!
Boston fell in love with Ellsbury, and it's a great luxury to have two top center fielders. Coco proved he had a strong bat in the Cleveland years. Not elite, but strong. His defensive ability is in the truly elite level. I'm curious to see what he'll do this year, coming in healthy and motivated, and familiar with the Boston scene that troubles so many new members to a team.
Lets see how this plays out, because we all know injury and other situations can quickly change perspective. Yes, we're best suited trading Crisp to get a SP or another player more critical to our team needs, but I'd hate to see Crisp shipped off for an average player, only to find we need another OF a month or two into the season.
Shop away and trade him if the right opportunity comes along, but don't trade a rare center field talent just to avoid competition. Ellsbury looks like he'll develop into a top-tier player, and deserves the chance to start. But he's still a rookie and might have growing pains, so never hurts to have Coco sharing time.
Coco was robbed of the Gold Glove last year, and he singlehandedly won about 5 games for the Sox with his D, which was absolutely ridiculous. He had a 2 month stretch in the summer where he was absolutely on fire offensively, showing what he could be if he regains consistency.
Hmm.. I'm not sure if I agree with you Gordon. I definitely think we need to start Jacoby without a doubt, but I think Crisp might have a good year... He's definitely due at some point.
If a starter loses his job in the playoffs he is no longer an incumbent CF.
Ellsbury is the "Incumbent CF".
I agree with Mike. The best sutuation for the Sox would be to keep Coco and see what he can produce heading into the trade deadline. It also gives us another look at Ellsbury. Should both produce the Sox will be in the driver's seat.
Between Manny and Drew requiring rest on a regular basis, filling in for each other, pitching match ups, late inning defensive substitions and pinch running/hitting, both Ellsbury and Crisp should see plenty of playing time. I think it would be best for the team to view the situation as having four starters that share three positions.
Fans do not make out the line-up card, thank goodness. The centerfield job is and should be Crisp's until Ellsbury proves himself over a longer period of time and takes it away, injury intervenes, or a trade is made. I like Ellsbury so much that I feel like I invented him! But he DOES have some proving to do. I feel a little bad that he can't possibly live up to RedSox Nation's expectations.
@King B #6. You're crazy if you think the Sox will weigh fans opinions into this decision. Did the fans want Damon in there for game 5 of the '04 ALCS after starting the series 1 for 18 with a single?? Or Drew in game 6 of the '07 ALCS?
How many fans wanted Pedroia to play every day after his .182 AVG April?
These guys know what they're doing most of the time.
It's too bad Crisp came out so publicly with this information, he thought the media was bad before...
He's a great defender and a perfect leadoff guy. If healthy, it's his job. Jacoby has great potential and is an exciting player, but it makes no sense to hand him CF right now.
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