Coco a Go Go
Reports have it that Coco Crisp has been traded to the Kansas City Royals. Of course this is in lockstep with my prediction that Crisp would be trade before training camp...training camp 2008. So I was 10 months too early in my prediction.
SI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Red Sox will get reliever Ramon Ramirez in return. This is good for Crisp as he'll have a legitimate chance to start in his contract year (the Royals do have an option, but they probably don't have the resources to exercise it).
As for the Red Sox, they get a middler reliever who posted a 3-2 record in 71.2 IP with 57 H, 31 BB, 70 K for a 2.64 ERA and a 1.128 WHIP. Not bad. He is just 26 and only has 2+ years of service. He is basically a strikeout per inning guy (146K's in 156.2 IP).
I'm not sure how long Ramirez will be in Boston as he may be included in another deal, but if he were to stay, he'd could take Justin Masterson's spot should Masterson re-join the rotation.
This opens up a bench spot for the Red Sox and essentially gives Jacoby the full time CF job.
Other news: Both 3rd base coach Demarlo Hale and bench coach Brad Mills will be with the Red Sox as neither was chosen to lead the Seattle Mariners next season.
Comments
great move, never have enough good bullpen arms
Offers up potential trade bait down the road as well if the need arises. Crisp's market was limited somewhat by salary and by CF needs, good setup/middle relievers that are relatively cheap are in need most places.
Time for Jacoby to shake off the sophmore slump (even though technically it was his rookie year) and start showing us why we believe in him so much.
Posted by: blmeanie | November 20, 2008 09:06 AM |
ESPN's Keith Law has a piece on this deal and thinks both clubs will be disappointed. As for Ramirez, he said in his article that his best years are behind him and he isn't likely to be as good as he was in 2008.
Law was a former scout I think (or at least was in the front office of a team) and he uses his past skill set to predict future performance. He also mixes in sabremetrics to come up with interesting conclusions.
He seems steadfast in his belief that Ramirez is nothing special. Oh well.
Posted by: Andy | November 20, 2008 10:09 AM |
how long ago was he employed by a team?
Like anything, if you don't practice it you lose some ability.
Time spent in the media likely softened his ability to predict.
Regardless - I would make the deal again if it were my decision.
Posted by: blmeanie | November 20, 2008 01:37 PM |