Indians dotting I's with Crisp
Deal could follow Mota's physical
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
The pieces of the Coco Crisp trade are almost in place.
If Guillermo Mota passes his physical today in Cleveland, Crisp could be a Red Sox outfielder by Wednesday to complete a six-player trade between the Indians and Boston.
The Indians would send Crisp, right-hander David Riske and catcher Josh Bard to Boston for third base prospect Andy Marte, Mota and, perhaps, catcher Kelly Shoppach. The Boston Globe reported Monday that the two teams had agreed in principle to a trade involving those six players.
"I don't even know what an agreement in principle is," said Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro. "There is no agreement."
A major-league source said the Red Sox were still haggling over putting Shoppach in the deal, but it was not considered a deal-breaker. Shoppach could be Victor Martinez's backup this year.
The deal could still fall apart if Mota's right shoulder and elbow don't pass the Tribe's physical. Mota spent time on the disabled list last year with Florida because of a sore elbow. He also missed time in September because of a sore shoulder.
Mota already passed Boston's physical when it acquired him from the Marlins on Nov. 24.
If he passes the Indians' physical, the Tribe is expected to send left-hander Arthur Rhodes to Philadelphia for Jason Michaels, a right-handed hitter who would replace Crisp in left field.
The Phillies originally wanted Rafael Betancourt, but the Indians refused. The Indians offered Riske, but the Phillies weren't interested. The Indians then offered Riske to Boston.
The Indians also considered sending Mota, 32, to the Phillies. There's a chance that still could happen, but the Indians are inclined to keep Mota, if healthy, because he's younger than Rhodes, 37.
Mota, who will make $3 million this year, went 2-2 with a 4.70 ERA in 56 appearances last season. He struck out 60 in 67 innings and the opposition hit .254 against him. Mota had a chance to close for the Marlins, but was replaced by Todd Jones.
Crisp, a fan favorite, hit .300 and scored 86 runs for the Tribe last year. He is expected to play center field and hit leadoff for the Red Sox.
Michaels, a platoon center fielder for the Phillies last year, could platoon in left field this season with Todd Hollandsworth.
Shoppach, 25, has spent the past two years at Pawtucket, R.I. He hit .253 with 26 homers and 75 RBI last season at Class
AAA. He went 0-for-15 with Boston.
Shapiro returned from vacation on Sunday to be smacked in the forehead by the Crisp rumors. He was not happy that the news of the potential trade had become public knowledge.
He said he felt sorry for the players involved.
"We're dealing with human beings," he said.
Manager Eric Wedge was asked if such a deal would mean that the Indians were pulling in their horns as far as competing with Chicago this season to win the American League Central.
"Recognize this, anything we do, we want it to be positive for this year and beyond," said Wedge. "We aren't looking to take any steps back."
Marte, 22, is a key player for the Indians. They believe he'd have to spend a good part of this season at Class AAA Buffalo, but that he could not only be their starting third baseman of the future, but the middle-of-the-order right-handed hitter they've desired for the past few years.
Players at Jacobs Field, working out in preparation for spring training, had varied responses to the possible trade.
Shortstop Jhonny Peralta hadn't heard the rumors, but he's familiar with Marte, who is from the Dominican Republic.
"He's a good player," Peralta said. "He's a good third baseman and a power hitter."
Said Martinez, "The front office is not going to do something to hurt this team. If they do something it's going to help this team."
), but giving up Riske as part of the deal kind of sucks -- he's a good setup guy.
As far as I know, he's going to spring training.
