The Red Sox have traded center fielder Coco Crisp to the Royals for righthanded relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez, a major league baseball source has confirmed to the Globe's Nick Cafardo.The deal was first reported this morning on Kansas City sports radio station WHB 810 by Brian McRae, a former Royals outfielder who is a part owner of the station:
During an on-air interview a few moments ago, Royals senior adviser Mike Arbuckle would not confirm that the deal was complete. "I would say Coco is a good player and we're always interested in getting good players," said Arbuckle, who recently joined the Royals after working in the front office of the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. Arbuckle politely declined a request from the hosts to evaluate Crisp as a player, saying, "Well, at this point, he's still under control of another organization. I wouldn't want to get into a tampering charge." The deal was first reported on the station by Brian McRae, a former Royals outfielder. When contacted via e-mail and asked if there was anything to this rumor, Kansas City Star columnist Joe Posnanski gave a one-word reply: "Yes."
Ramirez is an interesting acquisition for the Red Sox -- his arrival would suggest that the ball club is at least considering using Justin Masterson as a starter. Reports say the 27-year-old throws in the low 90s, with an outstanding curveball and a changeup that acts like a splitter.
He's coming off a very good 2008 season, having posted a 2.64 ERA in 71.2 innings this year while striking out 70. Ramirez allowed just two home runs, and held righthanders to a .153 average in 137 at-bats. He was particularly effective in September, allowing just one earned run in four hits in 9.2 innings (0.93 ERA).
I guess we just could go any longer without a Ramirez on the roster...
I'm a huge Coco fan, so this is a tough pill to swallow. But... if Theo wants to shoot me a text and let me know that this is all part of his master plan to shave a few mil' off the payroll so that he can outbid the Yankees for Teixeira - then I'll accept the deal. Seriously though, I remember this kid having good stuff when the Royals came to town this year and I think Remy thought highly of him as well.
Bottom Line: There's nothing wrong with adding a young and lively arm to your bullpen, I just wonder if Coco was worth more than a still unproven reliever... you just never know what you're gonna get from year to year with relievers.
* * * Centerfield has a nice photo send off for Coco... you will be missed "10." * * *
Also, Coco's departure makes me curious... Who do the Sox plan to use as their back-up outfielder when Drew inevitably goes down or Ellsbury falls into another funk...
Coco offered outstanding defense and proved that, given a semi-steady stream if at-bats, he could still hit: Coco hit .315 in the second half of the '08 season.
Here's a look at the OFs in the farm:
Jon Van Avery
Van Avery hit .263 with 15 2Bs, 26 HRs and 70 RBI in 380 at-bats with Pawtucket. He hit just .235 in 11 at-bats with Botson last year.
Sox Prospects Scouting Report: Centerfielder with a good arm and a great glove. Average bat, speed, and on base ability. Has shown flashes of above average power, but not consistently throughout his career. Hits to all fields. Streaky at the plate, but generally has a good hitting approach. Provides outfield depth with some options, Van Every will likely be insurance for Boston while roaming the outfield in McCoy. Able to play center and left, but hasn't spent a lot of time in right field.
Jeff Bailey 1B/OF
Bailey hit .301 with 28 2Bs, 25 HRs and 75 RBI in 418 at-at-bats with Pawtucket. He mad a splash with Boston, hitting a pair of ding-dongs and batting .280 through 50 major league at-bats.
Sox Prospects Scouting Report: Bailey mainly plays 1B and corner outfield these days after previously spending a lot of time as a catcher. He is adequate defensively, with below average range, a decent glove, and a good arm. With the bat, he has outstanding power and strength. Good contact and plate patience. Slow on the basepaths, but runs intelligently - about what you'd expect from a converted catcher. Strikes out a little too much, but that has improved over the years. Has potential to be a versatile backup and off-the-bench bat at the major league level. Probably could start for a lot of small market teams. Bailey has been a team leader and model teammate with the Red Sox organization for five seasons.
Josh Reddick
21-year old Reddick hit .343 with 11 2Bs, 17 HRs, and 57 RBI in .312 at-bats with Single A Lancaster last season. It's safe to say he's not the guys the Sox are counting for 2009, but there's a chance we'll see him help out in September... get the Sox Prospects Scouting report - here.
And here's a list of the Free Agent OFs that are out there, but half of them will want to start. Guys like Kapler, Baldelli and Kotsay stick out... and even Floyd or Hariston would make a nice fit.
Left fielders
Moises Alou (42) - Type B
Garret Anderson (37) - Type B
Milton Bradley (31) - Type B
Emil Brown (34)
Pat Burrell (32) - Type A
Adam Dunn (29) - Type A
Cliff Floyd (36)
Luis Gonzalez (41) - Type B
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Raul Ibanez (37) - Type A
Gabe Kapler (33)
Kevin Mench (31)
Jason Michaels (33)
Craig Monroe (32)
Greg Norton (36)
Jay Payton (36)
Manny Ramirez (37) - Type A
Juan Rivera (30)
So Taguchi (39)
Center fielders
Rocco Baldelli (27)
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Jim Edmonds (39)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Mark Kotsay (33)
Corey Patterson (29)
Scott Podsednik (33)
So Taguchi (39)
Right fielders
Bobby Abreu (35) - Type A
Casey Blake (35) - Type B
Emil Brown (34)
Cliff Floyd (36)
Ken Griffey Jr. (39) - Type B
Gabe Kapler (33)
Jason Michaels (33)
Trot Nixon (35)
Brad Wilkerson (32)
1 comments:
Oh man, I forgot all about Kapler. How awesome would that be for him to come back?!
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