Indians acquire Coco Crisp from Athletics

Coco Crisp wasn’t happy with his playing time in Oakland, but fortunately for him, half of that problem appears to be solved.

The 36-year-old outfielder won’t be in Oakland anymore after being traded to Cleveland for minor league pitcher Colt Hynes in a deal that adds him to a crowded Indians outfield pool. Rajai Davis, Tyler Naquin, Abraham Almonte, Lonnie Chisenhall, Brandon Guyer, and Michael Martinez are all still floating around, though it is presumed that Almonte would be the one to lose his spot with Crisp’s arrival, having failed a drug test earlier in the season and making himself ineligible for the post season.

Since Josh Reddick was dealt to the Dodgers, the Athletics’ outfield offensive numbers have taken a hit. Crisp’s production has been little help, as in 393 AB he has hit .234 with a .698 OPS (his BA shrinks to about .215 over the last month) and 39 XBH, 11 HR, as well as 5-for-7 in SB. However, he’s also his .424 with RISP, priming him to be some sort of playoff or stretch run hero for the contending Tribe. Crisp himself does not sound initially too pleased with the move, despite the leap in the standings he’ll make going from last place Oakland to the Indians, who are leading the AL Central:

“I’m extremely hurt, the way things are being handled,” Crisp said in The Chronicle report. “I’m not calling anyone names, but this is really frustrating and disappointing. This has been my favorite organization going back to when I was a kid, because of Rickey Henderson, and I’ve enjoyed playing here so much, and I’ve put it all out there. … Up until recently, it’s been tremendously enjoyable.”

Despite his feelings, Crisp is waiving his 10-and-5 rights in order to push the deal through.

Crisp would have to play in 130 games (or make 550 PA) this year to vest a $13 million option. It is not not likely to do so, and should it not, Crisp would become a free agent, with a $750,000 buyout check on its way to his house. He’s only made it into 102 games thus far, with the 130-game mark likely the motivation for his displeasure toward a lack of playing time.

The longest current member of the A’s, Crisp is currently in his 15th year in the big leagues, having started in Cleveland, been moved to Boston in 2008, and started his seventh season with Oakland this past spring. He has hit the DL six times in that span, the most recent instance being his absence for most of the 2015 season after incurring a neck injury from a collision with the outfield wall. In Cleveland, he’ll be reunited with manager Terry Francona, with whom he won a World Series with the Red Sox in 2007.

Cleveland signed Hynes earlier this month and optioned him to Triple-A. He last pitched in the majors with the Blue Jays last season.