Red Sox Add Cereal To Lineup - Sign Coco Crisp Last Night

[matcom]

<snip>

He's small and he's quick but the process it took to acquire him was anything but.

Six days after reaching an agreement in principle, three days after Guillermo Mota's underwhelming physical, and one day after the deal teetered on the precipice of collapse, the Red Sox added cash considerations, and a player to be named or further cash considerations, to their offer and got their man: Cleveland's Coco Crisp.

The deal, announced by Red Sox executive vice president/general manager Theo Epstein last night, was expanded to seven players, including the six in the initial agreement.

Crisp, 26, who will succeed Johnny Damon in center field and atop the lineup, 29-year-old righthander David Riske, and 27-year-old switch-hitting catcher Josh Bard are coming to Boston. The Sox' top prospect, 22-year-old Andy Marte, is headed to the Indians, along with Mota, 25-year-old catcher Kelly Shoppach, a player to be named, and cash.

It was not known how much money the Sox would be sending to Cleveland, but this deal required commissioner Bud Selig's approval, and, as a rule, Selig must approve any transaction that involves more than $1 million changing hands.

The Sox secured Crisp without giving up Hyde Park's Manny Delcarmen, whom the Indians asked for after inspecting Mota and expressing displeasure with the condition of his pitching shoulder.

The deal came together last night but appeared to be gaining momentum midday yesterday, when several outlets reported that Indians reliever Arthur Rhodes was in Philadelphia for a physical. Cleveland and Philadelphia had agreed to a Rhodes-for-Jason Michaels swap last week (the deal was announced yesterday), with the intention of Michaels taking over for Crisp in Cleveland. But, for the last few days that deal was believed to be in a holding pattern as the Sox and Indians worked through their differences.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/01/28/sox_finally_get_their_man____crisp?mode=PF

[Magrittes Pipe]

1. Shit.

We give up a fast young guy who can get on base and has decent power, and all we get in return is a reliever with a gimpy shoulder and a prospect.

I was SO hoping that deal would fall through after the physical... hell, didn't want it to happen in the first place.

Oh well. I suppose nobody ever accused Mark Shapiro of being smarter than Theo Epstein.

[matcom]

2. he could make us forget Damon REAL quick

Mota won't last 2 seasons (if that)

[Magrittes Pipe]

3. Damon looked like Jesus and played better defense in center.

In every other way, Coco is the superior player. Plus, he's about 5 years younger.

He could be a star for the Sox for a long time.

[matcom]

4. tell me Coco has a better arm though

Damon threw like Tim Russert :D

[dolo amber]

5. You're already getting the best NAME in baseball

Nothing's ever good enough for you. :cry:

[asthmaticeog]

6. Pissed at the Indians' management? Oh yes, yes I am.

I guess Shapiro LIKES losing or something. Fucking fucking FUCK. :grr:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

8. Some of these deals really kinda make ya wonder who's getting paid what,

under the table and all.

It's like Jack Abramoff was representing the Cleveland "tribe" or something.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

7. Never seen dude play but I'm lovin' the name. If they don't make, or

already have, a breakfast cereal with this name, it's a crime, pure and simple.