Mets & Red Sox Deny Coco Crisp Trade Rumor
UPDATE: (3/12) 3:43pm (EST) - The NY Mets and Boston Red Sox have each denied the validity of this trade rumor, as numerous media outlets are currently reporting.
- Here is a link from Boston.com. Theo Epstein said he has not been talking to the Mets about Crisp.
UPDATE: (3/12) 3:13pm (EST) - According to Jim Callis of ESPN, the deal has a .000000000001% chance of being true. Also, Angel Pagan was playing for the Mets today in a game. He hit a homerun, but this further makes this rumor seem sketchy.
This would be a nice victory for Omar Minaya, if it’s true. I would suspect another minor league player to be involved from the Mets’ side, at the very least. Crisp, 28, is a switch hitting centerfielder by trade. He has limited power, but plays a very strong defensive outfield. He would fit nicely in the 7th hole of the Mets’ lineup as they await the return of Moises Alou. Angel Pagan, 26, has had two cups of coffee with the Chicago Cubs over the last two years. He has been a utility outfielder, and he has played extraordinarily well this spring thus far.
It’s worth noting, however, that this rumor flies in the face of what Red Sox GM Theo Epstein has been saying for months: that the club will not simply trade Crisp for the sake of appeasing him. And if Epstein has indeed moved from that stance in recent days, was Angel Pagan the best swap he could make? What about Matt Murton, who was reportedly offered up for Marlon Byrd? For that reason, we’ll be keeping our eyes open for more information regarding this MLB trade rumor.
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, New York Mets
I’m skeptical. Why would the sox trade him and not get pitching back, especially with the Beckett injury?
They have Moss and Kielty ready to go as 4th/5th OF’s, too. they wouldn’t need pagan.
i don’t buy it.
I didn’t buy this one from the beginning. Didn’t seem to make sense for either side. The Mets don’t need another speed/defense outfielder. They already have a gold glover in CF and they also have Endy Chavez, who’s essentially the same player as Coco Crisp, just without that “big” year Crisp had a few years ago and with a better throwing arm. If they were going to go that route in the OF, why not just use him? Sure, it makes the bottom of the lineup very left handed, but Pagan’s a switch hitter and Endy’s had a bit of a reverse platoon split the last few years.
No, the Mets don’t need more speed and defense in the outfield. They need some pop and maybe someone that can back up at 1B too. This is why we hear names like Nady and Thames. One name I’m surprised we haven’t heard connected more to the Mets is Juan Rivera, especially since the Halos have been working him out a bit at 1B.
If Endy Chavez played full-time, he would be exposed. Crisp is a better player. Chavez is perfect as a 4th or 5th outfielder, Crisp can start for an extended period of time if need be. But that doesn’t matter at this point.
Good call on Juan Rivera. I’ve been wondering that myself. He seems like a great fit.
Rivera is a great fit, but what would the Mets give up to get him? Their farm system is empty!
I’m not sure Chavez would be any more exposed than Crisp is. He’s the same kind hitter. He had 353 ABs in 2006 and hit .306 / .348 / .431. I would not at all be surprised to see Endy get “exposed” to the tune of .268 / .330 .382 (Crisp’s 2007 line) if he got 500+ ABs.
My question is what do the Angels need? The Mets don’t have much of a farm, or any real surpluses, but they could shed a reliever or two. I wouldn’t go too crazy but I might give up one of the better arms in the bullpen if I’m the Mets. They have plenty of fringey veterans who are looking strong this spring (Wise, Figueroa, Rincon) and younger guys future closer type stuff (Kunz, Register, Rustich).
BTW, not saying the Angels would be interested in Wise, Figueroa, or Rincon, but having those guys could cause Omar to consider dealing one of his top setup guys like Heilman or Feliciano. I know he’d love to dump Shoenweiss, but no way anyone gives anything up there. I think Sosa’s value is underrated (not that he has a ton, I just think he has some, while most people seem to think he has none), but that’s hardly a position you want to trade a player from. He got off to a red hot start last year. I’d like to see Omar give him a chance to replicate that and then sell high on him.
That’s a nice call. If Sosa gets off to a similar start, Minaya has got to sell him, without a doubt.