Crisp traded to KC for reliever

When Johnny Damon bolted for the the New York Yankees in January of 2006, the Red Sox had a hole in center field. A few weeks later, enter Covelli Loyce Crisp as part of a six player trade with the Cleveland Indians. Boston sacrificed uber-prospect Andy Marte, acquired a few months earlier from the Atlanta Braves, but in return they received a 26 year old center fielder who averaged 15 home runs and hit a .298 clip the past two seasons as a starter.
The deal, on paper, looked like a great trade for the Boston organization. The free agent pool that year was thin; Kenny Loften, Jim Edmonds, and Steve Finley were the best available center fielders. A few months after trading for Crisp, he signed an affordable 3 year, $15.5 million dollar extension. That was probably the high water mark of Crisp’s Boston career.

Crisp was injured his first year with the team, and hit a dismal .264 in 105 games, mostly from the bottom of the order. His low average and power shortage (he hit only eight home runs) were blamed mostly on his broken finger. However, the next season, in 145 games, Crisp hit .268 with only six long balls. By the end of the 2007 season, the fans were clamoring for Jacoby Ellsbury to take over for the ineffective Crisp.
Coco was so-so during his Boston career, and it is easy to point out his flaws. Nevertheless, it is more important is to remember him for the positive things he contributed in his three years with the local nine. Crisp played gold glove-caliber defense every day, even in the tricky triangles of Fenway Park. This past season, when asked to split time with Ellsbury, Crisp was the consummate professional, never once complaining or demanding a trade.

Now, Tim Dierkes has confirmed with Sports Radio 810 in Kansas City that the Boston Red Sox have traded Coco Crisp to the Royals for reliever Ramon Ramirez. Ramirez is a 27 year old reliever who is under team control until 2012, to this point he is probably best known for being involved in the trade for Shawn Chacon, when the Yankees shipped him and Eduardo Sierra to Colorado.
Usually the thin air at Coors Field is a death sentence for a veteran pitcher, let alone an untested rookie like Ramirez. Ramon thrived in 2006, his first season with the team, posting a 3.46 ERA in 67 2/3 innings pitched. He set a Rockies record by going 15 1/3 innings to start his career without giving up a run, and only surrendered five home runs the entire season.
Last year, with Kansas City, Ramirez had 70 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings, in addition to 31 walks and six wild pitches. He continues to keep the ball in the ballpark, giving up only two homeruns in the 71 games he appeared in. He should be a major upgrade over Mike TImlin in the 7th or 8th inning role, especially if he can duplicate his 2.64 ERA from last season.
The biggest surprise of this trade is that, well, it was such a surprise. Where was the Boston media on this one? It had been weeks since we heard the Sox were in discussions to trade Crisp, and then suddenly you wake up and bam, he’s in KC. I always imagined Crisp being packaged with some prospects as part of a bigger deal, but the trade permitted to team to upgrade the bullpen, cut costs, and give a boost of confidence to Jacoby Ellsbury, who no longer has to look over his shoulder.
Hopefully Kansas City is not done making moves this offseason, as the Crisp trade gives them a glutton of outfielders. Constantly disgruntled and overpaid Jose Guillen would be the player most likely to be traded, assuming someone is willing to take on the two years and 24 million dollars left on his contract. Keep an eye on this situation, because if nothing else, Coco deserves an opportunity to play everyday with a fresh start.
Thanks for your service and professionalism with the team, Coco, and best of luck with the Royals!