http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/150 Recent articles about Coco Crisp en-us The Red Sox and Rays will get back to business tonight in the Trop... get a preview of this battle for 1st place in the AL East at The Bottom Line! Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:12:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284202 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284202 Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, fans around the world, mark this day on your calendars, Monday, June 30, 2008, the last day of the month of June and the Tampa Bay Rays are the best team in Major League Baseball. You heard correct…with their 49-32 record, and .605 win percentage, the Rays not only have the best record in the AL East, they have the best record in baseball. To be a winnings team, you must dominate at home while maintaining .500 on the road. The Rays are 30-13 at Tropicana Field and 19-19 on the road, certainly a recipe for success. Honestly, would anybody ever believe that the Rays would one day be the best team in baseball? Maybe not, but it's true, damn true. I guess being the worst team in baseball for the past decade and receiving great prospects eventually pays off. Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:43:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284190 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/284190 Coco Crisp had the suspension for his role in the Rays/Red Sox scuffle reduced to 5 games today. It was originally set at 7. He'll begin his sentence on Saturday and will miss the next series in Tampa Bay. This is probably a good thing because with him not being there, tempers will be given a chance to cool down a bit. No reason to have things get heated all over again and risk more suspensions in the middle of a pennant race. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:54:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283183 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283183 We officially reached the halfway point in the season the other day with a win over the Diamondbacks. I thought about doing some sort of a report card for performances but I figured why bother when the Globe and the Herald will probably do the same thing anyway. Instead I'll just give a few of my observations and some information about the team throughout the first half of the year. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:13:40 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282981 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282981 As July quickly approaches, the hot stove league is going to really heat up. The buyers and sellers will begin to separate themselves and make moves. What does that mean for the hometown 9? Here are some ideas crazy enough, they might just work. (Note: I am literally spit-balling here. These are not rumors I've seen or heard. If you've seen them before, it's a coincidence, not fact). 3. Trade Coco Crisp to Atlanta for Mike Gonzalez. Why the Sox do it: It's pretty obvious that our 4 and 5 Outfield rotation is not going to stick. Coco has been given some playing time, has successfully showcased himself as a speedy, light-hitting, gold glove Centerfielder. If and when Papi returns to the lineup (we'll revisit this in a minute), Coco is rendered useless on this team. The left handed bullpen help would come at a great time, with Okie's recent struggles and the inconsistency to come from our young arms. Why Atlanta does it: Mike Gonzalez has only pitched 2 games since coming off the DL. He picked up the save in his first outing, and then got lit up for 3 runs in 1 inning against Seattle in a blowout win for ATL. The Braves, sitting 4.5 back of first and 3 games below .500 could quickly become sellers if they go through a rough patch. 2. Package prospects to Cincy for Junior Griffey. Why the Sox do it: Is Papi going to be back this year? Maybe. Will he be the Papi that we know? Probably not. If the Sox want to bring in a powerful (although slowing) left handed DH in, KGJ is just the guy for the job. Griff is not, I repeat NOT, the same guy we saw rob Lou Collins in "Little Big League". He's definitely tailed off some in the past year or so. But he can protect Manny or Dusty, depending on where they slot him. He could also move V-Tek down in the order if they have Junior play a little outfield here and there. Why the Reds do it: Everyone knows it. The Reds are not going anywhere. They have too many outfielders. Griffey is not a spring chicken, he just hit number 600. Let him win a ring. Also, they can drop the enormous price tag on the always-willing-to-spend Sox. 1. Trade Lars Anderson (single A) and another 'almost ready' prospect to Colorado for Brian Fuentes. Why the Sox do it: Fuentes immediately replaces Okajima as the reliable set-up guy. He also takes over the title from recently-released Julian Tavares as "ugliest guy in Boston". Fuentes funky delivery, mean slider, and shift to a new league would give the Sox someone who really gets lefties out (.182 BAA vs. LH in 2008). With the thought of Mark Teixiera coming to Boston in the offseason, Anderson becomes expendable. The other prospect I had in mind would be someone like Daniel Bard or Brandon Moss, depending on what the Rox where looking for. Why the Rockies do it: Fuentes' $5 million price tag is pretty hefty considering the .410 winning percentage Colorado currently has. It might be fire-sale time, as some rumors have swirled around Matt Holliday earlier this month (personally, I think they'd be nuts to let go of Holliday, but that's me). Anderson gives the Rockies an heir to Todd Helton's throne at first. His power would be inflated in the wonderful rarified Denver air, adding to his already fabled penchance for going deep. Last year's formula of adding what we thought to be a quality arm (Gagne) ended up working out OK, even though Gagne was terrible. I think this plan could work again, given the actual quality that is available. We know how these things work typically. You got to give up something to get something. Hopefully Theo doesn't give up too much to get some bullpen help or a lefty bat (unfortunately, all-time OnDeck favorite Sean Casey just isn't going to cut it). As a wise man once said, "they want you to cook the dinner… they should let you shop for the groceries", Theo's out shopping now to make a delicious dinner in October. Go get 'em Sox. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:12:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282334 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282334 This week's Clearing The Bases column starts off with the question of whether Curt Schilling's career is Hall of Fame worthy and touches on the rest of news around the majors with their fantasy impact. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:06:06 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281963 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281963 First Shelley "Duvall" Duncan of the Yankees tried to spike Devil Rays star second baseman Akinori Iwamura in the junk. Then Coco Crisp of the Red Sox slid hard into Aki's groin. And now look where Houston's Carlos Lee's hands are: The St. Pete Times has another photo of the incident and fun quotes from Aki and Manager [...] Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:28:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281068 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281068 Jon Lester made Ryan Howard and Pat Burell look silly last night... get the recap at The Bottom Line. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:34:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/279316 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/279316 The offense kept clicking for the Red Sox over the weekend as they took 2 of 3 from the Reds. Get a recap of the series and other Red Sox news at the Bottom Line blog. Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:28:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278370 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278370 Key Word: REVENGE Just as the dust was settling and the coast was clear, Jonathan Papelbon opened his mouth and set the field ablaze once again regarding the Rays / Red Sox dirty feud. -"In my opinion, it's a bunch of bull what they did... All I got to say is what comes around goes around, man. Payback's a b****, I'll tell you what." During the June 4th game between these two clubs, Red Sox center-fielder Coco Crisp complained about Rays' shortstop Jason Bartlett blocking second base during a steal which led to Crisp later deliberately taking out Rays' second-basemen Akinori Iwamura's legs. This tiny revenge led to a scuffle of words between Crisp and Rays' manager Joe Maddon as Crisp entered the dugout. The following day, Jason Shields threw a revenge pitch directly at Coco Crisps waist (note: Not Head or anywhere near his upper part of his body). Coco then, to the apparent surprise of the Red Sox dugout, charged the mound, successfully dodged a right punch by Shields and got mauled by Jonny Gomes, Dioner Navarro, Akinori Iwamura and BJ Upton and the rest of the Rays. As for the aftermath comments made by these two teams go, it seems that the two clubs are coming at this in totally different ways. Red Sox are seeking revenge while the Rays have kept quiet. -After the game, Coco Crisp told reporters that, "they [The Rays] acted like little girls..." and went on and on. -Days later, Rays' Manager Joe Maddon came out and said he defends what his team did and is actually proud of the way they handled the situation. He was happy that his team defended his pitcher and was able to take control of the situation. -Wednesday, June 18th, Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon sings to Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight about the Red Sox seeking revenge. It might be easier for a pitcher to come out and say stuff like that since they aren't stepping into the batter's box and facing 90+mph fastballs that could be aimed at their head. Maybe he is just drawing this whole feud out for the sake of pumping his team up, knowing that last time the Sox came to Tampa Bay they were swept. Who knows? All I know is that I have cleared my schedule for the June 30th-July 2nd Red Sox vs. Rays series in Tampa Bay. Revenge is supposedly sought, I cannot miss that, and neither should you! Note: The brawl ended up in 8 suspensions Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:58:51 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277762 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277762 Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon says the feud between the Red Sox and the Rays is far from over... get the video at The Bottom Line. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:44:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277531 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277531 Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon says the feud with the Rays is far from over... get the video at The Bottom Line. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:42:51 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277530 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277530 I realize these things — beanballs and imperialism — are all part of the American way, but some traditions are just really, really bad and need to end. Using implements of destruction — specifically a baseball at 85 MPH, or a missile — to send some kind of message to your opponent is ridiculously dangerous for the game of baseball and the country. Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:26:02 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277380 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277380 I may have been harsh on Jon Lester in the past, but I'm actually here to defend the guy. When the suspensions for the Coco Crisp/James Shields brawl came down, there was one I couldn't quite understand: Jon Lester, five games. Where the heck was he in the fight? Nowhere, far as [...] Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:20:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276227 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276227 (funny picture of the James Shields-Coco Crisp fight) You gotta let him come in a little closer before you hit the 'select' button James, otherwise you're just wasting that power punch. It's like preparing for Don Flamenco's deceptive jab or Bald Bull's insane charge, timing is everything. Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:22:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276070 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276070