Coco Crisp will be returning to the Oakland Athletics in 2014, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. The center fielder has a $7.5M team option on his contract, and general manager Billy Beane stated that it will be exercised. Manager Bob Melvin agreed that picking up the option was a "no-brainer" after Crisp's strong season.
Athletics will pick up Coco Crisp’s 2014 option
The center fielder enjoyed a career year at the plate in 2013.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The 33-year-old Crisp had arguably his best year at the plate in 2013. Although he played in only 131 games, he hit a career-high 22 home runs, posted a career-best 119 OPS+, and collected at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the same season for the first time. His final batting line was .261/.335/.444, and his defense in center was above-average by both the eyeball test and the advanced metrics. He was also the team's best hitter in the playoffs, going 7-for-18 with two doubles, a triple, and four runs scored in the ALDS against the Tigers.
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Crisp has become a huge fan favorite in Oakland during his four-year stint with the team thanks to his quality play on the field, his fun-loving personality, his elaborate dugout celebrations, and his various hair-dos. Although injuries have caused him to miss 186 games over that span, he has produced when he’s played; he has a 107 OPS+ and 141 stolen bases in 462 games in the green and gold. He signed a two-year, $14M contract with the Athletics prior to the 2012 season.
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