CLEVELAND: The Indians and Oakland Athletics are progressing on a trade that would bring outfielder Coco Crisp back to Cleveland, according to a report by Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors. The report says Crisp has waived his 10-and-5 rights to allow a possible trade.
Teams can still execute trades, as the Aug. 1 (normally July 31) non-waiver trade deadline only means players must clear waivers prior to being traded if on the 40-man roster.
Crisp, 36, is hitting .234 with a .299 on-base percentage to go with 11 home runs, 24 doubles and 47 RBI. He is owed the remaining $11 million of his 2016 salary and has a $13 million option for next season that vests should he reach 550 plate appearances or 130 games played. He currently has played in 102 games and logged 434 plate appearances, so it’s more than likely the Indians would only pay the $750,000 buyout and make him a free agent this winter.
Crisp would give the Indians a balanced outfielder off the bench who would be eligible for postseason play. Currently, Abraham Almonte is on the active roster but won’t be able to play in the postseason after he failed a drug test that revealed performance-enhancing drugs. Because of that stipulation, the Indians were in need of eventually making a roster move either internally or externally to fill that void in the event they win their division or earn one of the two wild-card spots.
A switch-hitter who has played left field and center field in his career, Crisp would join Rajai Davis, Tyler Naquin, Lonnie Chisenhall and Brandon Guyer in the outfield.
Crisp spent four seasons with the Indians before being traded in 2005 to the Boston Red Sox along with David Riske and Josh Bard for a package that included Andy Marte, Kelly Shoppach and Guillermo Mota.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanLewisABJ