16
2013
Could Coco Crisp Solve Mets Center Field Problem?
An article by 
As the Mets continue to ponder their outfield situation, one thing is apparent: they still need a right-handed bat. The free agency pool is starting to dry up as the offseason rolls into mid-January. The Mets are still talking to Scott Hairston, but have made it clear they are still searching for a “bigger name.” If Hairston isn’t a big enough name, it looks like the Mets are only going to get what they want via trade because Michael “Scott Boras” Bourn is simply not coming. Justin Upton has been one bigger name being thrown around in trade talks. Reports indicate that the asking price for Upton is too high for Sandy Alderson, who has already said that he’s in no position to be dealing the Mets’ top prospects at the moment
So if free agents are slim pickings, Hairston isn’t famous enough to play for the illustrious Mets and Upton’s out of the Mets’ price range, who can the Mets get? One guy that hasn’t been mentioned much, that I think would be a good fit for the Mets is Coco Crisp.
Crisp is going into the second year of his two-year, $14 million contract. He also has a club option for 2014 worth $7.5 million. Last year, Crisp expressed his discontent to the San Francisco Chronicle about Yoenis Cespedes taking over the center field job:
“I’m going to make all the plays. If someone feels there’s someone better than me, it’s hard for me to believe. Unless he’s a demigod come down from the heavens, no one is going to outshine me in center field.”
Needless to say, Crisp wants to play for a team where he can play his natural center field. The Mets definitely have room him. Kirk Nieuwenhuis is the Mets only true center fielder at this point and he’s a ways away from being what the franchise hopes he can be. Crisp would be a good interim center fielder until the Mets can figure out a more long-term solution.
Crisp can bat from both sides of the plate and can hit in the leadoff spot – a hole the Mets desperately need to fill. His numbers indicate more power from the left side, which is typical for most switch hitters, but there’s not too much of a batting average drop off from the right side (LHB = .265, RHB = .248). Crisp isn’t the sexiest option, but he can come in and be a significant improvement from Andres Torres. Then again, a lawn chair would have been a significant improvement from Torres last season. Crisp is a low-risk move for the Mets.
Another plus is that the Mets also acquired Collin Cowgill this offseason. Crisp and Cowgill will be somewhat familiar with each other having played in the outfield together on the A’s last year.
The Mets could give up Mike Baxter and Jeurys Familia for a guy like Crisp. The Mets have too many left-handed outfielders and I can see Billy Beane going for someone like Baxter. Familia’s stock is heading south so now would be a good time to get something for him. I think the Mets could justify making a trade like that.
What do you think?
About the Author: Daniel Nelson
Dan Nelson is a junior at San Francisco State University majoring in Journalism and minoring in Economics. He was born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey where he grew up watching the Mets. Dan was also the recipient of the 2013/2014 Otto J. Bos Memorial Scholarship, the largest scholarship the SF State journalism department has to offer. You can follow him on Twitter @pacific_theme
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 24 | 18 | .571 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 20 | .535 | 1.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 32 | .256 | 13.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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Eh, OBP is a little low for an ideal lead off hitter. His defense will be an asset, though.
Not only does he play a good center field, he’s also part of a nutritious breakfast.
He had an OBP of .348 while batting 1st last year. Not the worst thing in the world.
I like Crisp I just don’t know how much of a difference he brings offensively. Defensively its a no brainer
True, but his OBP from the top spot is .322 for his career.
I agree with the people who say Familia is too much to give up, especially if we’re sending another guy.
but, ya, I like his defense. If we’re sticking to Duda in left and a platoon in right, CF is going to have to be lock down good.
That is a trade I would be willing to make if there are no other options out there and it seems like there aren’t
Not sure why Familia’s stock is headed south. He’s still a baby yet. I’d rather just go with a platoon of Kirk and Cowgill than trade an arm like Familia for a Coco Crisp. Familia looked good coming out of the pen. Too soon for me to give up on yet if it’s for just a one year stop gap like Crisp.
I would not move Famillia for crisp, he has potential closer stuff and I want to see him in the bullpen all year. Crisp is probably an option next year as a free agent. I am fine with Captain Kirk and Cowgill in center this year.
It’s going to take some getting used to listening to Met fans saying I’m fine with Cowgill in centerfield. Geez we’ve become just like Pirates fans.
Maniac, THIS^^^^^^ Except, nobody cares about the pirates… They are and have been irrelevant forever.
I like what I saw of Familia at the end of last year. He should be one of pitchers in contention for 5th spot to open season. I would not get rid of him for Crisp.
I agree we need a REAL center fielder on this team, I’m just not convinced it should be Crisp.
Goofy idea: What if the A’s don’t think Cespedes will stick in CF? Would that put Josh Reddick on the block?
I don’t think Reddick is going on the block anytime soon. He’s young, cost-controlled, and made huge strides last year. Last year, he won a gold glove and legitimately could have made the all star team. Cespedes not being able to play CF would only mean more time for Crisp and Young in CF.
crisp can certainly be a 1 year stop gap, but highly unlikely for beyond 1 year, and nothing close to a difference maker for that year.
I am with the others that said instead of giving up Familia, just go with a Kirk/Cowgill platoon, and likely get similar production.
The other option is keep the position open, and let ‘Spin compete too for the spot, since CF is where I think he should be if he is actually going to hold a ML regular job.
i hope sandy just sits on his hands and does nothing….
honestly im cool with a 100 loss season…
so long as it results in the worst possible attendance…
the worst possible PR
and the fastest way to get Fred Wilpon out of Queens
thats really the ONLY thing I’m realistically hoping for.
PR will never get them out. And since they seem to have reached stasis financially, most likely Fred is only going out in a body bag someday, but that will just leave Jeffy in charge.
You might be hoping for new owners soon, but I would take out the “realistically” part!
I dont see why Familia’s stock would be down. He showed a really live arm out of the pen and can see him being really successful there. Why give up a potential long term piece of our bullpen for a stopgap CF?
I like the move, I am just not sure if that will get it done. I wonder if the A’s would even want Baxter? Would you do it if they would rather have Duda so he can DH? Would you think about any of our lower level guys?
I really would not want to sacrifice what little power we have.
I can understand that but we are even assuming that Duda can be more than a platoon player and that his defense in LF will be any better than RF. I also don’t see the A’s wanting Baxter. The reason they would trade Coco is because they have OF depth, no reason to bring in Baxter. Maybe they would take Kirk or DD.
Considering he can play every day, can bat leadoff and is controlled for this and the next year with the option to bail out on him, I’d be all for making that move. I’m not high on Familia. I’d actually prefer to move Mejia over Familia, as I think Familia can probably pitch out of the BP and Mejia has showed me that he can’t.
I doubt Sandy would spend 7 million on CF. He will go with what we have. If it does not work out, I look for Den Decker to be called up..
Familia for Crisp? You’re kidding, right?
No way, I´d trade Familia or any other top 10 in the system caliber prospect for Crisp – a solid average stop-gap CF making 7.5 million annually.
That said, Logan Verrett looks like a Billy Beane type pitcher. And maybe add another young 2nd tier arm such as Robert Carson and maybe you can get Crisp for CF in 2013.
I guess it just depends no how highly you view Mejia/Familia. It wasn’t long ago that Havens was one of the top 10.
Whatever happened to that guy?
All I’m going to say about CoCo is he is one of the guys we turned our noses up at in favor of signing Jason Bay….
If you ask me that ship has sailed and might have made sense 3 years ago….
They desperately need a professional CF/leadoff hitter. I would deal one young arm for him, but preferrable an Pill or Verritt type, and throw in a bat like Mike from Whitestone if needed.
While I agree that we do…The problem here is Sandy is under the impression we only need one for 3 years because thats when the HYPE regarding Nimmo is expected to be here….
Which is why I though Victorino would be a decent signing (assuming the Nimmo Hype is correct) to hold us until then…
He plays a decent CF, Has a better bat than a Torres and Kirk has shown and could leadoff for us as well.
Agreed on Nimmo, and even Den Dekker. Too much waiting for guys that may never get there Nimmos future is very foggy. Even DD, who did tear it up at AA, needs to prove he can handle AAA even BEFORE he get a shot in the show. Victorino would have been a decent fit, but now way they were paying $39 mil for 3 years of him. Coco is affordable at $7 mil, he is no superstar but he is definitely a pro that would lead off, take some pressure of Tejada and provide more RBI opportunities for the middle bats, and most importantly, catch fly balls hit to the OF. That is part of the game, and directly supports our “core” young pitchers. It just depends on Beane’s price, but it shouldn’t be too high. Alderson needs to balance that against his chances of getting Upton or even Morse, since I don’t think he has enough prospects to trade for two, especially two guys on one year deals. He also needs to weigh in trading for Harang or Capuano vs. the OF. It’s just about the witchig hour.
Wait and HOPE is the Mantra of this FO…
And usually those who wait and hope get fired and fail….
Like waiting for a train that derailed three stops ago!
You want success you have to work for it…That applies to ANYTHING you can think of!
The Mets CFproblem is the least of the front office worries. Sad but true. I think it’s Kirk/Cowgill for 2013, maybe some Valdepsin and inevitably Lagares sprinkled in by end of year. This is how you build to win in 2020.
The more I’ve read about him, the more I’ve been intrigued by Adam Eaton. I think Arizona could still be interested in infielders, so as much as I am also intrigued by Wilmer Flores I also don’t see the Mets having room for him to play, so I wonder if that could be a possibility.
Not sure they are moving him after trading Young.
Adam Eaton? Why would the Dbacks move him? If they do I hope Alderson doesn’t do something stupid like trade Flores for him
I have no idea what might happen, I’m just more interested in Eaton than Upton or Kubel or Parra or Ross or Pollack or Marte.
I feel a strong defensive CFer is exactly what the Mets need over everything. With plus defenders at short (Tejada) and catcher (once D’Arnaud arrives) and an improving 2nd baseman (Murph), Crisp would make the team “strong up the middle”. The starting pitching staff is certainly deep. Those 2 things are the basis of winning a lot of games.
If I were the Mets, I’d do that deal over signing Hairston, and also believe it would preclude them from trading for Upton.