MESA, Ariz. – Coco Crisp was in good spirits Saturday discussing a topic you’d think might turn a veteran ballplayer sour.
Given the A’s have added left fielder Khris Davis and utility man Chris Coghlan – who will also play some outfield – the playing time could be sparse for Crisp, 36, who was a cornerstone piece of the A’s postseason runs from 2012-14.
Considering his lengthy injury history, including a chronic neck condition that can only be fixed by career-ending surgery, the A’s weren’t going to take the chance of counting on Crisp as their everyday left fielder. A’s general manager David Forst has said, however, that if Crisp stays healthy and shows he can be productive, there will be playing time either in center field, left field or at designated hitter.
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SIGN UP HERE Crisp, making $11 million in the final guaranteed year of his contract, says he’s on board with whatever role that’s in store for him.
“However they want to go about it as far as playing time, I‘m fine with it,” Crisp said. “You don’t know what can happen. Last year I got injured and someone else had to step up so they had to be ready. This year, if someone gets injured I have to be ready for an everyday role -- or be ready for an everyday role regardless.”
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Crisp has developed into a fan favorite since his arrival in 2010. In just two of his six seasons with Oakland has he been healthy enough to appear in 130-plus games. But when at full strength, he’s been an igniter atop the batting order. A highlight was the walk-off single he delivered in Game 4 of the 2012 AL Division Series against Detroit.
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So if this happens to be his final season with the A’s, it is significant. Crisp has a $13 million vesting option for 2017 with a $750,000 buyout. The option becomes guaranteed if he either plays in 130 games this season or reaches 550 plate appearances. Both would appear to be longshots.
But Crisp said he would love to see his time in Oakland extend beyond this season.
“As time passes on throughout this season, we’ll see how it unfolds, but I’d still love to stay here. If that’s possible, we’ll see.”
Retirement, it seems, is not something he’s considering despite all of his physical setbacks.
“Really, who wants to stop playing?” he said. “It’s been everybody’s dream for so long. I do enjoy my family, my kids, and I want to be there for them. And I also want them to be able to see their father, (when they’re) at an older age, play ball. And experience some of the joys of being a ballplayer’s kid.”
Right fielder Josh Reddick said a reserve role might serve Crisp best in order to keep him healthy enough to contribute.
“With his neck (an ongoing issue), and I’m sure he’s very aware of how sensitive that can be, it might be a welcoming thing for him,” Reddick said. “But as a competitor it might be very frustrating. We’ve gotta look out for him. We need Coco back to being Coco, whether he’s out there every day or not.”
Davis will be the A’s regular left fielder, with Billy Burns in center after last season’s breakthrough rookie campaign. At DH, Billy Butler is slated for the majority of at-bats despite his underwhelming season in 2015. Then there’s Coghlan, acquired Thursday from the Cubs. He’s also an option in center, and manager Bob Melvin mentioned how valuable Sam Fuld is at all three outfield spots.
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It’s very possible the A’s make a trade of some kind before the regular season starts to ease the logjam. There should be at-bats for Crisp somewhere, and he entered camp feeling healthy from head to toe.
“The more talent we have here, the better chance we have of winning. I think that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “Sitting down watching the game or out there playing alongside some of these guys, it’s gonna be enjoyable to watch because we’re a better team because of it.”