CRISP TO BOSTON IN SIX-PLAYER SWAP
The Boston Red Sox acquired outfielder Coco Crisp, pitcher David Riske and catcher Josh Bard from the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Guillermo Mota, minor-league third baseman Andy Marte and minor-league catcher Kelly Shoppach.
What does it give the Boston Red Sox
Boston was desperate for a regular center-fielder after losing Johnny Damon to free agency and Crisp will slip right into that role, possibly filling Damon's old leadoff role as well. His skill set should do a pretty good job of nearly picking up the slack left by Damon's loss. Riske, a hard-throwing righty, essentially will take the right-handed setup role Mota would have taken. He could even be a closer candidate if Keith Foulke falters again. Bard may be a better option to fill the backup-catcher role than John Flaherty, who is 38 and fading fast. His defensive skills will be a nice compliment to those of No. 1 catcher Jason Varitek.
What does it give the Cleveland Guardians
The Tribe acquired outfielder Jason Michaels earlier in the day, essentially as a prelude to this deal. Michaels will fill the hole in left field left by Crisp, while Mota will try to make up for the loss of Riske and Arthur Rhodes (traded to Philly for Michaels), both late-inning relievers. He was one of the better setup men in the game for a couple of years in Los Angeles before being traded to Florida a year and a half ago and losing his way a bit. The real key to this deal for Cleveland is the kids. Marte is a very promising young slugger, acquired from Atlanta earlier this off-season. He could be a future all-star and if he doesn't unseat Aaron Boone at the hot corner this season, he certainly will in 2007. The acquisition of Shoppach is a bit perplexing, considering Victor Martinez is in town and is the best slugging catcher around. Shoppach is another slugging backstop who is big-league ready, so this may be a prelude to yet another deal sending Shoppach elsewhere.
Fantasy impact
