Indians acquire OF Coco Crisp for pennant drive from A's

Posted August 31, 2016 7:00 am

By TOM WITHERS

CLEVELAND (AP) - Coco Crisp's season has improved dramatically, and now the Indians hope he can upgrade theirs, too.

Cleveland added much-needed outfield depth and postseason experience on Wednesday by acquiring Crisp in a trade with the Oakland Athletics. The AL Central leaders sent minor league pitcher Colt Hynes to the A's for Crisp, who began his career with the Indians in 2002.

The Athletics also gave $1,673,497 to the Indians to help offset Crisp's contract.

The 36-year-old Crisp gives Indians manager Terry Francona another switch-hitter, more speed and a player who knows his way around October. Crisp has played in 31 postseason games and won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox - under Francona - in 2007.

The Indians were in the market for another outfielder after Michael Brantley had to undergo season-ending surgery and Abraham Almonte was disqualified from the postseason following an 81-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.

Crisp is scheduled to join the Indians on Thursday and will officially be added to the roster Friday. Because he was acquired ahead of Wednesday's postseason-eligibility deadline, the outfielder will be able to play for the Indians if they make the playoffs.

Crisp batted .235 with 11 homers and 47 RBIs in 102 games this season. He played 58 games in left field and 36 in center for the A's, who are in last place in the AL West.

He's under contract for $11 million and Crisp has a $750,000 buyout for next season. His deal includes a $13 million vesting option for 2017.

Crisp played in 415 games over four seasons with the Indians from 2002-05. He batted .287 after joining the Indians, who acquired him from St. Louis as part of the deal for left-hander Chuck Finley. Cleveland packaged Crisp in a six-player deal with the Red Sox in 2006.

Crisp also played one season for Kansas City.

Hynes, a 31-year-old lefty, played 22 games for San Diego in 2013 and five games for Toronto last year. This season, he was a combined 3-1 with a 3.99 ERA in 38 games in Triple-A and Double-A.

FILE - This is a Feb. 29, 2016, file photo, showing Coco Crisp of the Oakland Athletics baseball team. The Cleveland Indians have bolstered their outfield depth by acquiring Coco Crisp in a trade with the Oakland Athletics. The AL Central leaders sent minor league pitcher Colt Hynes and cash to the Aâs for Crisp, who began his career with Cleveland in 2002. The 36-year-old gives the club another switch-hitter, more speed and postseason experience. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File) The Associated Press

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