Oakland Athletics Spring Training Notes: Coco Crisp to Left
By Jason Burke
Jane Lee of MLB.com had a series of tweets this morning about a shift that could shake up the roster of the Oakland Athletics if the plan of action carries over into the regular season.
The A's have decided to move Coco Crisp to left field in attempt to help keep him healthy.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) March 4, 2015
Crisp will play in left field tomorrow in his Cactus League debut.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) March 4, 2015
Melvin spoke to Crisp about the move at start of camp, said, "He had some questions, but he’s going to do the best he can with it."
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) March 4, 2015
Melvin on Coco: "He’s handling it like a pro, but there’s also a pride factor involved for a guy that’s one of the premier center fielders."
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) March 4, 2015
Lee also says that the platoon of Sam Fuld and Craig Gentry would shift from left field into center, which makes perfect sense. Both Fuld and Gentry have better throwing arms than Crisp, and this move would help keep more runners from taking the extra base.
The other plus is that presumably, Crisp would be able to stay healthier without having to cover as much ground in the outfield. Most A’s fans have been putting Mark Canha primarily in a left field platoon with Fuld and Gentry, but with Coco taking that spot, Canha may see less playing time to start, while filling in for Coco in left on occasion, as well as at third for Brett Lawrie and first base for Billy Butler and Ike Davis.
We should have a better idea of where the Oakland Athletics plan to play Canha most frequently as the spring games pile up and the starters start getting more playing time. As a Rule 5 pick, he may be hidden on the A’s 25-man roster, but the fans are excited to see what the 26-year old Canha will provide in his first stint in the big leagues.
Next: Takeaways From First Spring Game