Loco for Coco

Is Crisp Coming to Boston?

Tony Massarotti Report: 'Sox Reach Deal with CF Crisp'
For 3B Prospect Andy Marte and Reliever Guillermo Mota;
But it May Depend on the Indians Locking Up a Left Fielder

"According to baseball sources, the Red Sox and Cleveland Indians have agreed in principle on a deal that will bring outfielder Crisp to the Sox in a multi-player trade. The deal was agreed upon several days ago under the condition that Cleveland be able to acquire another outfielder to replace Crisp, presumably Jason Michaels from the Philadelphia Phillies."

"The Red Sox will send a package including reliever Guillermo Mota and prospect Andy Marte to the Indians. The inclusion of Mota in the deal explains why the Sox signed free agent reliever Julian Tavarez to a two-year contract despite having a bullpen that already included Keith Foulke, Mike Timlin, Mota, Rudy Seanez and, perhaps, Jonathan Papelbon." -- 01.22.06, Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald

Sounds Like the Deal Bradford Laid Out in December

Crisp $aves Sox in Long Run

"Crisp, if obtained, would be under the Sox' contractual control for four seasons before becoming a free agent. He's likely to command about $3 million this year and probably close to $20 million over the next four seasons, vs. the $52 million Johnny Damon will make with the Yankees.

"However, obtaining Crisp would cost the Sox their top prospect, a player widely regarded across baseball as an elite prospect with power who should be ready to play full time by 2007. The Indians, meanwhile, have 32-year-old third baseman Aaron Boone signed for this season, with a mutual option for 2007." -- 01.22.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

Rotoworld's 'Rave' Reviews

"It’s a sequence of events that may placate the media, but that doesn’t make it any less disturbing. Marte alone is worth more than Crisp, in our opinion, just as he was worth quite a bit more than Edgar Renteria. The Red Sox are giving up Guillermo Mota, too, and it's unclear what they'll be getting back along with Crisp. Gonzalez is an even bigger problem, especially if it's a multiyear deal. He's not much of an upgrade over Alex Cora, and Dustin Pedroia might be Boston's best option at shortstop by June 1." -- 1.22.06, Rotoworld

Shortstop Solved?

"Beyond the acquisition of Crisp, the Sox also are about to sign free agent (shortstop Alex) Gonzalez." -- 1.22.06, Mazz, Boston Herald

What About Wells?
"David has made it pretty clear to everyone that he doesn't want to be in Boston."
Wells Puncher Rocco Graziosa to Serve Sentence