'08 Outlook for Coco Crisp

Since he is still on the team with spring training a month away, we might as well look at him.

'07 Season: Coco came into the season with big expectations; the low average of '06 was blamed on the finger injury so the new season was supposed to be much better. His start of the season did not go that way and he ended up hitting below .230 for April and May with only 1 home run. Fans and the media got on him and he stopped talking to the press. In the mid season he heated up hitting .330 in June and .323 in July. It looked like he was the player the Sox had trade for but his hitting retreated again at the end of the season. Coco made some amazing plays in center field and saved several runs with his defense. His speed helped at times and he stole 28 bases.

'08 Outlook: If Coco starts out slow like he did last season he will find himself as the late inning defensive substitution in the outfield and will get the occasional start when players need a rest. In his two years with the Red Sox Coco is hitting below his career average. He may be a better hitter than he has been for Boston but he is going to have to prove it quickly in '08. Coco will go into spring training competing with fan favorite Jacoby Ellsbury for the center field job. He may not be able to handle this situation and might alienate fans even more. There is still a good chance that Coco will be traded before the season begins but if he is not his trade value could drop if he is not an every day player. If he can adjust to being the fourth outfielder the Sox will have a great backup when injuries happen or they could run the risk of having a clubhouse cancer if he can not adjust. The Coco situation will become more and more interesting the closer we get to opening day.