Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland Athletics Featured Question: Can the A’s Really Trust Coco Crisp?
Earlier this week, the A’s front office said that they won’t pursue an outfield upgrade, and that they’ll rely on Coco Crisp in left field instead. While Crisp has certainly had a moment as the star of the Athletics’ roster, he’s also had a long list of injuries that have rendered him less effective during the last two seasons.
With that in mind, the Swingin’ A’s staff debated this week’s featured question:
Do you think that relying on Coco Crisp and the other current outfielders is a good idea? If not, what should the A’s have done in the outfield this winter instead?
The response was nearly unanimous:
Rich Paloma: While he may provide some clubhouse spark, Crisp – the oft-injured, no arm, sub-Mendoza line hitter – will not provide any advantage to the A’s line-up for 2016. Neither will Fuld, who also failed to hit over .200.
If the team isn’t vying to upgrade its outfield, I propose going with and developing, the young Mark Canha – who has the potential to be a longtime success with the A’s in a Cahna-Burns-Reddick outfield. With that proposal, the A’s then need to seek out a POWER-HITTING first baseman to complete their defensive alignment.
Next: Sticking With Crisp is a Sign of Rebuilding
Sticking With Crisp is a Sign of Rebuilding
Scott Harris: Ideally, I would love for the A’s to acquire a high OBP left fielder with 20+ SB speed on the base paths to bat 2nd in the lineup behind Billy Burns. However, the fact that the front office came out and said that they plan to rely on Coco in left field next season tells me that they really are committed to next season being a rebuilding year and plan to use platoons and prospects to man left field if (or more likely when) Coco gets injured.
Mark Canha will likely see a good amount of time in left field when he’s not playing first, Stephen Vogt could be used there in a pinch, and Craig Gentry will be looking to turn things around after a rough 2015. Among the younger players on the roster, Tyler Ladendorf and Jake Smolinski may also get a look in left. From the minors, Colin Walsh, Chad Oberacker, Josh Whitaker, and Jaycob Brugman could also be called up to provide depth in the outfield if needed.
Like I previously stated, I believe the A’s pitching (assuming they make moves to strengthen the bullpen) will rank near the top in the American League and I think the A’s organization shares the same opinion. However, they will wait until the trade deadline to see how everything plays out in the AL West before they make any moves to strengthen the roster.
Next: Why Not Find a Cheap Upgrade?
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Why Not Find a Cheap Upgrade?
Katrina Putnam: I absolutely think that relying on the current bunch of outfielders is a mistake. Isn’t there a saying like, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?” This is the second year the A’s have trusted Crisp to stay healthy and he’s missed significant time instead, forcing them to rely on guys like Craig Gentry and Sam Fuld. Mark Canha is a good option, but he’s better used as a replacement Ike Davis at first base.
At some point, the A’s need to realize that the upgrades they need have to come from somewhere, and left field was the perfect place. Crisp cannot play a full season anymore, and Gentry, Fuld and even Jake Smolinski aren’t exactly proven backup options.
I’m very surprised that the front office can look at the outfield they had last season, consider the results that they got from left field, and believe no upgrades are needed. The A’s should absolutely have targeted someone inexpensive like Nori Aoki or Rajai Davis, who would have given them consistent production if nothing else.
Next: Ladendorf and Smolinski Will Have a Chance to Shine
Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Ladendorf and Smolinski Will Have a Chance to Shine
Steven Luke: Relying on Coco Crisp is a bad idea. He’s not the same player that pitchers feared because he could send one down the line and fly, or put a mistake over the fence. What he never was, at least during his time with the A’s, is the picture of health. Over his six years with the A’s he’s averaged just over 105 games per year. That is skewed by his first season where he only played in 75 games and last season where he only played in 44. Even though that’s skewed he is still no where near an everyday player and always seems to have a nagging injury, like two bouts with pink eye. Even with all his thoughts they will need Coco because someone has to keep the clubhouse together.
What they can rely on is players like Tyler Ladendorf and Jake Smolinski to fill the role and try to earn a spot like Mark Canha and Billy Burns did during the 2015 season.
What they shouldn’t even bother relying on are Craig Gentry or Sam Fuld. Both were fringe big league players before the A’s gave them a chance and in their time with the club they’ve done nothing to prove otherwise. It’s time to let two other guys (Ladendorf and Smolinski) get a chance to prove if they are big leaguers or fringe guys as well.
Next: The A's Depth Means They Will Be Okay
Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The A’s Depth Means They Will Be Okay
Samantha Riley: Even though I think relying on Coco Crisp is not the best idea, the Oakland Athletics have enough outfield depth to replace him in left field when – not if – he incurs another injury. Currently, the A’s have Crisp, Josh Reddick, Billy Burns, Mark Canha, Sam Fuld, Jake Smolinski and Craig Gentry. Because of this depth, the A’s do not need to seek any outside help from the free agent market or through a trade.
However, some decisions will need to be made regarding tendering contracts and who will start where. I think the A’s should keep Fuld and not Gentry. Additionally, I think Canha should be used more at first than the outfield. But, that still leaves five outfielders to cover three positions and all of these players are strong defensively. It is pretty clear that Burns and Reddick will start in center and right respectively. That leaves Fuld and Smolinski as backup outfielders or possibly starting in left field.
Next: A's Need to Bring In Reinforcements
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
A’s Need to Bring In Reinforcements
Casey Witt: Since the Athletics acquired Coco Crisp in 2010, he has undoubtedly been the green and gold’s spark plug at the top of their lineup. He’s a switch-hitter who can produce from both sides of the plate; especially when the game is on the line.
However, the 36-year-old veteran only played in 44 games this season, with frequent injuries ranging from hip and ankle soreness to a chronic neck dilemma he has battled for the majority of his playing career. As a result, it would seem unreasonable to see Crisp grind through a pressing 162-game season without landing on the disabled list at some point.
Bringing in a reinforcement or two would be wise on GM David Forst’s part. A proven slugger like Justin Morneau who is one season removed from a National League batting title with the Colorado Rockies is an ideal fit for Oakland; who’s capable of swinging 15-20 home runs a year — from the left side of the batters box, on a respected $5-7 million salary.
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Next: Trade Rumors: Jesse Chavez is a Hot Topic in Trade Talks
What do you think? Be sure to leave your answer in the comments section below. Are the Athletics making the right call by trusting in Coco Crisp for next season?