Red Sox Acquire Coco Crisp From Indians

Red Sox Acquire Coco Crisp From Indians


NEW YORK - Boston got its center fielder and leadoff hitter, completing a trade to acquire Coco Crisp from Cleveland after the Indians obtained Jason Michaels from Philadelphia for reliever Arthur Rhodes.


The two trades Friday night involved eight players — and possibly a ninth.

Needing a replacement for Johnny Damon, the Red Sox got Crisp, reliever David Riske and backup catcher Josh Bard for reliever Guillermo Mota, third base prospect Andy Marte, catcher Kelly Shoppach, a player to be named and cash. The deal had been held up because of Cleveland's concerns about Mota's health. If he goes on the disabled list, Cleveland could add a pitcher from Boston's minor league system.

The 26-year-old Crisp batted .300 with 16 homers, 69 RBIs and 15 steals last season.

"He's an energy player, and he can impact the game on both sides of the ball," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said.

Boston delayed commenting on the deal until Saturday.

Also Friday, Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior was among five players in salary arbitration who settled their cases, agreeing to a $3.65 million, one-year contract. Also settling were Texas pitcher Vicente Padilla ($4.41 million), Rangers outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. ($2,387,500), newly acquired New York Mets reliever Jorge Julio ($2,525,000) and Tampa Bay reliever Jesus Colome ($815,000).

Twenty-eight players remain in arbitration, with hearings scheduled for next month in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Several free agents agreed to minor league contracts: first baseman Daryle Wade with Washington, infielder Jose Hernandez with Pittsburgh and right-hander Antonio Alfonseca with Texas.

In addition, the Nationals said they had held preliminary talks with the agent for outfielder Sammy Sosa. Also, San Diego was talking with the agent for catcher Mike Piazza after the New York Yankees said they weren't interested in signing Piazza as a part-time designated hitter.

Rhodes had to pass a physical with Philadelphia before Cleveland could trade Crisp, acquired by the Indians in 2002 from St. Louis. The Red Sox want him to fill the void left when Damon signed as a free agent with the Yankees.

"He's just entering his prime right now and he definitely has upside beyond what he has done thus far," Shapiro said. "He can become a better, more effective basestealer. The question and the unknown is always going to be how much more power he's got."

Marte spent most of last season at Triple-A Richmond before Atlanta dealt him to the Red Sox for shortstop Edgar Renteria last month. He batted .275 with 20 homers and 74 RBIs in 109 games last season.

"In Andy we are acquiring a right-handed power hitter who is also a good defensive third baseman," Shapiro said.

In his only season with Cleveland, the 36-year-old Rhodes went 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 47 games.

Michaels, a right-handed hitter, batted .304 with four homers and 31 RBIs in 105 games for the Phillies. The 29-year-old recently was put on six months' probation and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service following a fight with a Philadelphia police officer last year.

Phillies GM Pat Gillick said Michaels' legal troubles were not a factor.

"No, absolutely not," he said. "We just felt this situation fit in the direction we wanted to go."

Shapiro thinks Michaels can have an immediate impact on Cleveland's lineup.

"Jason is a hard-nosed, tough player that complements our lineup extremely well," Shapiro said. "He has always been a tough out while recording a high on-base percentage and has the ability to play all three outfield positions well."

The 32-year-old Mota should help the Indians fill the void left by Bob Howry's departure. Mota went 2-2 with a 4.70 ERA and two saves in 56 games for the Marlins, but missed more than a month with a sore elbow. Cleveland will also receive more than $1 million from Boston as part of the trade.

Rhodes gives Philadelphia a dependable setup man for Tom Gordon, who is taking over for Billy Wagner as the club's closer.

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AP Sports Writers Tom Withers in Cleveland, Ben Walker in New York, and Dan Gelston in Philadelphia contributed to this report.