Reports: Red Sox near deal for Indians' Crisp

[wayne1218]

The Boston Red Sox are nearing completion on deals that would bring them Cleveland Indians outfielder Coco Crisp and free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez, according to published reports.


The Boston Herald, citing unnamed baseball sources, reported that the Red Sox and Indians had agreed in principle on a deal that would send Crisp to Boston along with a swap of prospects.


The Boston Globe, also citing multiple major league sources, reported the team was still working on a deal for Crisp as well as a free-agent deal with Gonzalez, formerly of the Florida Marlins. Both newspapers said the Red Sox would include third-base prospect Andy Marte, who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the Edgar Renteria trade, as well as reliever Guillermo Mota.


The Herald reported the deal hinged on the Indians' ability to acquire another outfielder, possibly in a trade for the Phillies' Jason Michaels or through signing free agent Jeff DaVanon, formerly of the Angels.

[TwoTonTony]

i am psyched and we are close to signing alex gonzalez....

[wayne1218]

i am psyched and we are close to signing alex gonzalez....

[savage1]

If Manny stays, it is starting to look a LOT better.

[wayne1218]

Crisp ... I LOVE!

Gonzalez ... SUCKS!

[savage1]

Yeah Wayne-I just checked the stats on Gonzalez, and he leaves a lot to be desired batting averagewise. Historically, sox have usually had a power hitting shortstop.

[TwoTonTony]

he was hurt all last year...but 2 and 3 years ago he blasted some dingers and he is usually solid in the field.....i feel better than with cora.....not my 1st choice, but i am happier than i was yesterday!!!

[diesel]

How do you guys compare their line up at this point now compared to last year. I still think we are behind what we had last year although I feel their pitching especially the bullpen looks much imporved. Depending on Ramirez and health I still can see this team win between 90 and 95

[savage1]

he was hurt all last year...but 2 and 3 years ago he blasted some dingers and he is usually solid in the field.....i feel better than with cora.....not my 1st choice, but i am happier than i was yesterday!!!

Tony-I sort of agree. I like him better than Cora, and he did get some taters a few years ago(not in Nomar's class but for that matter Cabrerea wasn't either). Lets hope he is respectable at the plate and does a great job in the field.

[SustainDan]

Marte is very good and will develop into a stud it sucks they have to trade him really woulda helped the infield

[jordanrules23]

GONZO has the cubs curse with him still....cocco will fit real well in Boston...

[TwoTonTony]

Tony-I sort of agree. I like him better than Cora, and he did get some taters a few years ago(not in Nomar's class but for that matter Cabrerea wasn't either). Lets hope he is respectable at the plate and does a great job in the field.

to be honest i wish we just hung on to renteria...or cabrera for that matter.....but we probably do not have to pay him much either.....

here is how i see it
1B - better glove....a little worse bat
2b - upgrade with loretta
ss - downgrade with gonzalez with the bat...upgrade with the glove
3b - big upside....but lose a guy you could count on....(remains to be seen)
c- same
pitching - upgrade
lf - same if his mind is here
cf - could be an even swap, but remains to be seen.....good leadoff hitter, good speed, good bat...lots of pop.....but gonna miss damons prescence......so i give it a downgrade
rf - same

bench - down on b/u catcher, infield - good, outfield (no idea)

* chance to compete and thats all we can ask at this point

[TwoTonTony]

Marte is very good and will develop into a stud it sucks they have to trade him really woulda helped the infield

he probably will,but rarely turn into a phenom overnight......we do not have time to wait or at bats to give for him to develop properly......

[ULikeApples]

I'm a lifelong Indians fan, and I LOVE this trade on their side as well. Marte seems like the real deal, and at 22 years old is even better. He was overmatched last year in the MLB, but 1 more year behind Aaron "F****n" Boone should help him. And Mota still has the stuff to be competitive.

On the other hand, the past few years I've been rooting for the Red Sox as well due to my hatred of the Yankees. I think this is a good deal for them too. Crisp is an adequate OF, but I dunno how he'll adjust to play 140+ games in CF after playing LF most of the year last year. His OBP is a bit low for a leadoff hitter, but he'll give ya 18-22 HRs and 10-15 SB.

Anyway, I'm excited for both teams this year (Indians more so). Hopefully Clev, Bos, and the White Sox can keep the Yankees out of the playoffs!

[savage1]

Tony-your assessment seems quite good.
That being said and as you well known, one cannot simply evaluate the team solely on a position by position basis.
The intangibles like playing together as a cohesive unit and chemistry are just as important and unfortunately cannot be predicted at this point. Certainly players like Damon, Mueller and Millar will be missed not only for what they contributed on the field but also in the clubhouse.
I would be surprised if they get out of the gate fast, soar into first place and have a 5-10 game lead by the All Star Game.
Obviously this is where the manager comes into play and hopefully Francona will be able to blend the parts into a smooth running operation.
I think the raw ingredients will be in place(assuming Manny stays) for a pretty good season;whether it will be a VERY good season, well to coin the old cliche, "Only time will tell."