The Oakland Athletics have reported a two-year contract extension with centerfielder Coco Crisp that includes a vesting option for 2017. Crisp will receive $11 million in 2015 and 2016, and his vesting option is worth $13 million with a $750K buyout.
Crisp has been very solid since signing a free agent deal with Oakland after the 2009 season. The 34 year old centerfielder has quietly produced a .264/.327/.417 line for a 106 wRC+ with Oakland. In addition, he’s one of the best baserunners in the game and a decent defender. All in all, he’s totaled 11.6 fWAR with the A’s despite missing significant time with injuries.
2013 was Crisp’s best season since his 2007 campaign with the Boston Red Sox. He clubbed a career-high 22 home runs, and his 117 wRC+ was also a personal best. His stolen base total dropped to 21 after swiping 80 bags over the prior two seasons, but he still graded out as a very good baserunner.
Projections on Crisp for 2014 look solid. Steamer predicts a .261/.331/.412 line for a 108 wRC+ and 3.0 fWAR, and his ZiPS projection is nearly identical. Even assuming a little decline for aging in 2015, this looks to be a solid move by the A’s.
Crisp has been one of the more underrated players in baseball over the last four years. Locking him up for at least one addition season is another good move by the A’s, who have built a contender largely through free agency and trades.
Finally, the Crisp extension takes another name off what looks to be a very weak free agent outfield class in 2015. Brett Gardner and Colby Rasmus are scheduled to hit free agency, but other than that, aging bat-first players such as Michael Cuddyer and Josh Willingham are among the top names.
