It is being reported that the Oakland Athletics have reached an agreement with free agent center fielder Coco Crisp. Crisp’s new contract, which is pending a physical, is reportedly worth $14 million over two years. Crisp has spent the past two seasons with the A’s.
Though they are in the midst of another roster rebuild, the Athletics found enough money to bring back their speedy center fielder. Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that Crisp will make $6 million next season and $7 million in 2013, while the deal also includes a $7.5 million team option for 2014 with a $1 million buyout.
Oakland entered the offseason with its entire outfield hitting the free agent market. David DeJesus signed with the Chicago Cubs, while Josh Willingham landing with the Minnesota Twins. The Athletics also shipped Ryan Sweeney to the Boston Red Sox in the Andrew Bailey trade and dealt Jai Miller to the Orioles for cash yesterday.
Through their recent string of trades, the Athletics did acquire a pair of young outfielders, Josh Reddick and Collin Cowgill. The duo will likely compete with Michael Taylor to form the corner of Oakland’s 2012 outfield while Crisp returns to roam center.
Since joining the A’s prior to the 2010 season, Crisp has hit at a clip of .269/.324/.400 with 41 doubles, 120 runs scored and 81 stolen bases over his 211 games played. The 32-year-old Crisp sports a career OPS of .735.
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