This week we look at Coco Crisp.

Crisp is an outfielder who's greatest strength is his ability to hit lead-off.  Crisp was last with the Royals where he played just 49 games due to an injury.  He was previously in Boston for 3 years and Cleveland for the 4 years before that.  Covelli "Coco" Crisp is a 6'0" 185 pound switch hitter.  His best season was in 2005 when he hit .300 while hitting 16 HR's and stealing 15 bases.  In 2008 he hit a solid .283 and stole 20 bases.

But what's concerning about Crisp is his inability to maintain a high on base percentage.  His career high OBP is .345 and his career average is just .331.  He only has 259 walks in near 3500 plate appearances, so he's not the most patient lead-off man in the world.  But that being said, he's been a lead-off hitter for basically his entire career, and the teams he led off for weren't too shabby.

Crisp made more than $6 million last year and more than $5 the year before in Boston.  It's not expected that he makes nearly that much this year as his stock has dropped off quite a bit since his injury.  He's still probably worth the 3/4 million a team would have to spend for him, but at age 30 coming off an injury and his best season 5 years ago, he's going to have a hard time getting a deal past 2 or 3 years.

The Sox have already expressed interest in Crisp (according to his agent), and I think he's a pretty good fit.  He's been a guy that's been on Kenny's radar for a while now, and with the Vizquel and Jones signings, it looks like Kenny's starting to get some of the guys he's always wanted.  I don't know that he's the right guy for the Sox right now though.  The issue the Sox have had atop the lineup in the past is that their lead-off man does not get on base enough.  Crisp does not solve that problem.  However Podsednik isn't the answer either, so it looks like for the price the Sox want to pay, they are going to have to hope someone has a career year.

I'd be fine with Crisp or Podsednik, but I'd really like the Sox to try and find a way to get Chone Figgins here.  Unfortunately there's a team on the other side of town who may want him as well, and they have a little more cash to throw around.  So in my best guess, I'd say it will probably be Crisp or Podsednik leading off for the Sox next year.

Chance Coco Crisp is on the White Sox in 2010 - 45%

If you would like to read any of the previous Free Agent Friday posts, they can be found here.  Betancourt, Cameron, Figgins, Podsednik

Photo courtesy of projo.com

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