Earlier this off-season the Oakland Athletics picked up the $7.5 million dollar option of center fielder Coco Crisp for the 2014 season. The A’s have now signed the 34-year old to a two-year contract extension worth $22.75 million with at vesting option for the year three.
Crisp has been the catalyst for Oakland since arriving as a free agent in 2010 and unfortunately his first season with the team got cut short due to injury as he appeared in only 75 games. Had his best season with Oakland during the 2013 season when he played in 131 games and hit .261, with 93 runs scored, 134 hits, 22 doubles, three triples, 22 home runs (career-high), 66 rbi, 21 stolen bases in 26 attempts and a .335 OBP.
Overall in his four seasons with the A’s he has hit .264 with 281 runs scored, 473 hits, 88 doubles, 19 triples, 49 home runs, 204 rbi, 141 stolen bases in 162 attempts and a OBP of .327. Also, during the 2011 season he led the American League in stolen bases with 49.
There are two concerns involving Crisp and that is while he covers plenty of ground in the outfield he possesses a well below average arm and struggles with injuries. He has not played in more than 140 games since 2007 when he appeared in a career-high 145 games for the Cleveland Indians.
It’s another great move by general manager Billy Beane.