Comments on: Coco Crisp wonders why he can’t join the rest of the team on the DL http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/ Media, Baseball, Boston, the Red Sox, Music, Literature, and Mnookins Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:47:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Manders94 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-710 Manders94 Mon, 28 Aug 2006 09:28:51 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-710 Re: Stern getting demoted two days after his game-saving catch against the Rays...I'm almost sure the timing was coincidental. As a Rule 5 player, he needed to spend the first 17 days of the season on the 25-man roster before the Sox could option him back to the minors without offering him back to the Braves. The 17th day was Apr. 18, one day after his catch. Last year was pretty much a lost year in Stern's development due to his injuries and he'd never before played regularly above AA, so the Sox didn't want to waste any time getting him some regular PT in the minors. As for what the Sox should do about Coco, I'd be real careful about overhauling the team again this winter. I'm of the belief that drastic overhauls just do not work very often. But I base that on the 2002 Mets, so take it for what it's worth. Re: Stern getting demoted two days after his game-saving catch against the Rays…I’m almost sure the timing was coincidental. As a Rule 5 player, he needed to spend the first 17 days of the season on the 25-man roster before the Sox could option him back to the minors without offering him back to the Braves.

The 17th day was Apr. 18, one day after his catch. Last year was pretty much a lost year in Stern’s development due to his injuries and he’d never before played regularly above AA, so the Sox didn’t want to waste any time getting him some regular PT in the minors.

As for what the Sox should do about Coco, I’d be real careful about overhauling the team again this winter. I’m of the belief that drastic overhauls just do not work very often. But I base that on the 2002 Mets, so take it for what it’s worth.

]]> By: Nordberg http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-692 Nordberg Sat, 26 Aug 2006 20:45:17 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-692 We have to remember that Covelli missed a big chunk of the season to injury. I really believe that he should get one more season to prove he can do the job. By then Ellsbury should be ready and Covelli would be trade bait. But Covelli must stop putting so much pressure on himself. An above post mocked the Sox struggling offense. We cannot forget the overall health of the team. Is there anyone who hasn't missed a couple of games due to injury in the last month? I know it's part of baseball, but these guys seem to be pretty banged up. with so many injuries, a bulk of the workload has been left to a mediocre reserve corps. Varitek, Youkilis, Loretta, Gonzalez, Lowell, Ramirez, Crisp, Nixon, Mirabelli, Pena ... that's not even bringing up the pitchers. We have to remember that Covelli missed a big chunk of the season to injury. I really believe that he should get one more season to prove he can do the job. By then Ellsbury should be ready and Covelli would be trade bait.
But Covelli must stop putting so much pressure on himself.

An above post mocked the Sox struggling offense.
We cannot forget the overall health of the team.
Is there anyone who hasn’t missed a couple of games due to injury in the last month? I know it’s part of baseball, but these guys seem to be pretty banged up. with so many injuries, a bulk of the workload has been left to a mediocre reserve corps.
Varitek, Youkilis, Loretta, Gonzalez, Lowell, Ramirez, Crisp, Nixon, Mirabelli, Pena … that’s not even bringing up the pitchers.

]]> By: David Haglund http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-690 David Haglund Sat, 26 Aug 2006 20:40:50 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-690 Is it just me, or has the notion that certain players are "not cut out to play in Boston" grown exponentially in the last two or three years? It's the kind of thing one hears in New York all the time, mostly with regard to the Yankees. There may be a few guys that applies to, but I imagine the number is very small. Even a headcase like Derek Lowe had his best season in Boston-- as well as his worst... followed by a brilliant postseason! Who knows what goes on in these guys' heads. That attitude's accompanied by a tendency to ship guys out after a single, disappointing year (Contreras, Vazquez, Weaver... it's not always a mistake, I suppose). So I fourth or fifth all the Renteria comparisons. And Atlanta was even willing to give up real talent for Renteria (since we included lots of cash), which wouldn't happen with Coco. Also, Crisp is much younger than Renteria, and may not have had his best years yet. Give him another shot, and hope he doesn't get injured again. Unless we can get Andruw Jones, of course. The ideas in post no. 9 all sound good to me. (As an aside, I tend to agree with Beth in no. 11, and wonder whether that has any effect on future moves. Probably not: he still has to play well to stay.) Is it just me, or has the notion that certain players are “not cut out to play in Boston” grown exponentially in the last two or three years? It’s the kind of thing one hears in New York all the time, mostly with regard to the Yankees. There may be a few guys that applies to, but I imagine the number is very small. Even a headcase like Derek Lowe had his best season in Boston– as well as his worst… followed by a brilliant postseason! Who knows what goes on in these guys’ heads.

That attitude’s accompanied by a tendency to ship guys out after a single, disappointing year (Contreras, Vazquez, Weaver… it’s not always a mistake, I suppose).

So I fourth or fifth all the Renteria comparisons. And Atlanta was even willing to give up real talent for Renteria (since we included lots of cash), which wouldn’t happen with Coco. Also, Crisp is much younger than Renteria, and may not have had his best years yet. Give him another shot, and hope he doesn’t get injured again.

Unless we can get Andruw Jones, of course. The ideas in post no. 9 all sound good to me.

(As an aside, I tend to agree with Beth in no. 11, and wonder whether that has any effect on future moves. Probably not: he still has to play well to stay.)

]]> By: MikeVaBeach http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-688 MikeVaBeach Sat, 26 Aug 2006 18:35:17 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-688 Coco even makes poor throws to the relay man in a non-pressure situation, short-hopping, bouncing the ball in, etc. Is he hurt? I'd feel better knowing for sure. Coco even makes poor throws to the relay man in a non-pressure situation, short-hopping, bouncing the ball in, etc. Is he hurt? I’d feel better knowing for sure.

]]> By: dmothe30 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-685 dmothe30 Sat, 26 Aug 2006 17:55:07 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-685 Two things -- One, I am far from convinced that Coco Crisp will not be with the Boston Red Sox next year. Could he be traded? Sure, but think of all of the other rumors -- Wily Mo to the Nationals, Lowell to the Padres, to name a few -- that did not come to fruition this year. Would I welcome Andruw Jones to Fenway? Hell yeah, but I'm still convinced that Crisp's best years are ahead of him. He's had a rough year with injuries, a batting slump and blending into a new city, and I think if the Sox move him early, they could easily be looking at another Renteria situation, watching him play in the All-Star game representing another team. As for the Sox defense this year, I agree with the earlier post here. To suggest that the Sox defense is nothing more than "adequate" is ridiculous. The left side of the infield, in particular, has been astounding most of the year. Lowell and Gonzalez both deserve consideration for Gold Gloves. Another thing -- I like Lugo -- he brings speed, a decent bat, and his ability to be an offensive spark plug to the table. If you're looking for a solid glove, though, he's not your guy. He has regularly committed 20-plus errors over the last few years, and if you don't think that's going to drive everyone from Theo to Schilling to the fans nuts at shortstop, you're crazy. Two things — One, I am far from convinced that Coco Crisp will not be with the Boston Red Sox next year. Could he be traded? Sure, but think of all of the other rumors — Wily Mo to the Nationals, Lowell to the Padres, to name a few — that did not come to fruition this year. Would I welcome Andruw Jones to Fenway? Hell yeah, but I’m still convinced that Crisp’s best years are ahead of him. He’s had a rough year with injuries, a batting slump and blending into a new city, and I think if the Sox move him early, they could easily be looking at another Renteria situation, watching him play in the All-Star game representing another team.

As for the Sox defense this year, I agree with the earlier post here. To suggest that the Sox defense is nothing more than “adequate” is ridiculous. The left side of the infield, in particular, has been astounding most of the year. Lowell and Gonzalez both deserve consideration for Gold Gloves.

Another thing — I like Lugo — he brings speed, a decent bat, and his ability to be an offensive spark plug to the table. If you’re looking for a solid glove, though, he’s not your guy. He has regularly committed 20-plus errors over the last few years, and if you don’t think that’s going to drive everyone from Theo to Schilling to the fans nuts at shortstop, you’re crazy.

]]> By: Beth http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-684 Beth Sat, 26 Aug 2006 16:57:34 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-684 i believe that coco was also chosen for his personality, having to fill the spot vacated by johnny damon. look how quickly the team put him front and center in ads. he's a good-looking, smiling, magnanimous guy--i truly think that played a role in his signing. i believe that coco was also chosen for his personality, having to fill the spot vacated by johnny damon. look how quickly the team put him front and center in ads. he’s a good-looking, smiling, magnanimous guy–i truly think that played a role in his signing.

]]> By: 111875 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-683 111875 Sat, 26 Aug 2006 16:21:26 +0000 http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2006/08/26/coco-crisp-wonders-why-he-cant-join-the-rest-of-the-team-on-the-dl/#comment-683 Coco's jumps are, at times, a reason for concern. Doesn't he also seem to come periously close to other outfielders far too often? Perhaps that was just earlier in the season when they all weren't as used to playing with each other. However, as I thought post-Damon's exit, the Yanks are certainly better in center this year, and perhaps for the next two (I was saying this in the offseason pre-Johnny's new and improved bulky pecs, and bulky best friend Giambi. Giambi is constantly excessively sweating no matter the temperature and Johnny has a career high home runs and doesn't feel as banged up after banging into wall? Huh. Weird. Must be the Bronx water?) ANYWAY--but I think we are better suited for the next four years. Perhaps Coco isn't fit for a market this big. Or perhaps it is a matter of adjusting. I am far more concerned with the revolving door policy that seems to be Theo's m.o. New guys every year? All new guys? I am a the biggest supporter of team chemistry I know, and knowing my bias, I still think that will lead to teams that have a harder time joining together to rally past slumps (...), and also it will make it harder to keep the fan base AS passionate and involved. Buying the tshirt of the new guy will become like new school clothes because we grew out of last year's? More than the SS, its about supporting a team. Long-winded? Sure. I say stick with Coco. Coco’s jumps are, at times, a reason for concern. Doesn’t he also seem to come periously close to other outfielders far too often? Perhaps that was just earlier in the season when they all weren’t as used to playing with each other. However, as I thought post-Damon’s exit, the Yanks are certainly better in center this year, and perhaps for the next two (I was saying this in the offseason pre-Johnny’s new and improved bulky pecs, and bulky best friend Giambi. Giambi is constantly excessively sweating no matter the temperature and Johnny has a career high home runs and doesn’t feel as banged up after banging into wall? Huh. Weird. Must be the Bronx water?) ANYWAY–but I think we are better suited for the next four years.

Perhaps Coco isn’t fit for a market this big. Or perhaps it is a matter of adjusting. I am far more concerned with the revolving door policy that seems to be Theo’s m.o. New guys every year? All new guys? I am a the biggest supporter of team chemistry I know, and knowing my bias, I still think that will lead to teams that have a harder time joining together to rally past slumps (…), and also it will make it harder to keep the fan base AS passionate and involved. Buying the tshirt of the new guy will become like new school clothes because we grew out of last year’s? More than the SS, its about supporting a team.

Long-winded? Sure. I say stick with Coco.

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