Cleveland trades outfielder Crisp to Boston
Coco Crisp is finally bound for Boston after he was traded Friday by the Cleveland Indians to the Red Sox to replace Johnny Damon as their center fielder and leadoff hitter.
Crisp’s departure has been rumored for more than a week, but the deal was first held up by medical questions Cleveland had about reliever Guillermo Mota, and then was delayed by a trade between the Indians and Philadelphia.
When it all shook out, eight players – and maybe a ninth – were moved by three teams and the Red Sox gave the Indians at least $1 million. Commissioner Bud Selig had to approve the deal before it could be announced.
Along with Crisp, Cleveland sent reliever David Riske and backup catcher Josh Bard to Boston for Mota, third base prospect Andy Marte, catcher Kelly Shoppach, a player to be named and cash.
Before that deal was finalized, the Indians sent reliever Arthur Rhodes to Philadelphia for outfielder Jason Michaels, the probable replacement for Crisp as Cleveland’s left fielder.
Crisp batted .300 with 16 homers, 69 RBIs and 15 steals last season.
Guillen might miss start of season
Washington outfielder Jose Guillen said his shoulder injury might force him to miss as much as the first month of the regular season.
Guillen said he “might be there” when the Nationals open the season April 3 against the New York Mets. He has been rehabilitating his left shoulder since undergoing surgery for a partially torn labrum on Nov. 21. Guillen hurt his shoulder on a headfirst slide in June.
Meanwhile, the Nationals had preliminary talks with the agents for free agent Sammy Sosa.
Devil Rays ponder name change
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are following through on a promise to practically reconstruct themselves under new ownership.
The franchise has overhauled the front office and hired a new manager since New York investor Stuart Sternberg took control of the club last fall. Now, officials are pondering a possible name change.
“The new management team is looking at everything,” spokesman Rick Vaughn said, adding that discussions about changing the name are still in the “embryonic” stage.
Notes
Mark Prior and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $3.65 million, one-year contract, $900,000 more than the salary he would have earned under the contract he voided in November. … Reliever Jesus Colome avoided arbitration with the Devil Rays when he agreed to an $815,000, one-year contract. … Right-hander Vicente Padilla and outfielder Gary Matthews agreed to one-year deals with the Texas. … One of two men charged in the kidnapping and murder of Cincinnati prospect Dernell Stenson in November 2003 has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder charges in Mesa, Ariz. Reginald Riddle, 21, agreed to the plea Thursday to avoid a possible death sentence. Riddle faces 25-years-to-life in prison when sentenced. Co-defendant David Griffith, 22, is set for trial in September and faces capital murder charges.