Coco: I won’t give up without a fight
‘I wouldn’t be happy sitting,’ says Crisp
MLB. The time-honored tradition of spring training competition finally knock-ed on the door of the previously tranquil Sox’ minor league complex yesterday morning.
Rookie center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and veteran Coco Crisp arrived at the Fort Myers complex over the last few days and will both vie for the starting role when Boston’s season begins in Japan on March 25.
“I went into the offseason and worked hard to be the center fielder, but it’s their decision and I’ll respect it either way,” Ellsbury said to reporters Tuesday morning. “I think it’s good for both of us. It’s going to push me that much harder, and I’m sure Coco as well.”
Crisp rolled into camp yesterday and made his feelings pretty clear: a reserve role with the Sox this season isn’t going to satisfy the 28-year-old, and Crisp prefers a trade over a stint as Boston’s utility outfielder.
Crisp is due to make $10.5 million over the next two seasons — an affordable price for a starting outfielder in the current financial landscape — and was a Gold Glove-caliber defender during his second season patrolling the Fens. Crisp, in so many words, voiced a desire to switch uniforms if the fresh-faced rookie beats him out for center field job — a situation that should be feasible given his mid-level salary and outfield vacancies with clubs like the A’s, White Sox and Rangers.
“I want to play. Like I said, I wouldn’t be happy sitting on the bench,” Crisp said to reporters yesterday. “A lot of people say, well, I don’t deserve it. Well, that’s understandable, too. I didn’t have a good offensive year like I did in the past.
“I think I proved myself that I can win healthy, and [I’ve] shown that my defense is way better than what people thought. People think that my offense is terrible. Now, it’s time to show them that my offense really isn’t.”
Sox Manager Terry Francona has stressed in his day-to-day dealings with the media that the Sox haven’t forgotten about Crisp, but it’s hard not to be enthralled by Ellsbury. He hit a sizzling .353 during a September stint, and then unseated Crisp for the starting center fielder spot during the American League Championship Series and World Series.