Where Will Coco Go?

When the Angel’s signed Torii Hunter this week Coco Crisp’s value increased. He was the second or third choice for many teams but is now at the top of their lists. Texas is taking a hard look at Coco and they have something the Red Sox need; a catcher. Gerald Laird has been offered up as trade bait to the Mets and Boston. Now that the Mets have their catcher the Twin’s best chance of getting a good deal is from the Red Sox. Boston is in need of a backup catcher for Tek and even if they re-sign Mirabelli they will have no catcher for the ’09 season. Laird only hit .242 this year, had some injury problems, and is 30 years old with only 5 seasons under his belt. The Twins now need a solid option at center field but their only player the Sox want is Santana. It would take more than Coco to get Santana and the Twins ace has made a counteroffer of $126 million for a 5 year deal so he may not be going anywhere. Theo has to play his cards right and get the most for Coco. If he deals now he might miss the blockbuster but if he waits teams might fill their center field needs with other options. There could be worse positions to be in but with most of the off season moves already completed by the Red Sox, the Coco deal will be scrutinized for a long time. In Theo we trust.