Most baseball analysts think the New York Yankees are likely in the market for an outfielder as the MLB non-waiver trade deadline of July 31 approaches. That would, of course, make sense with the recent news that left fielder Brett Gardner will have elbow surgery and likely be lost for the season.
Recent reports indicate that the Yankees are not interested in available outfielders Rick Ankiel and Juan Pierre. So, let's throw another name into the hopper. How about a guy the Yankees are currently playing against -- Oakland Athletics outfielder Coco Crisp?
The Yankees have reportedly scouted Crisp, a veteran outfielder with a skill set similar to the speedy, defensively-superb Gardner.
Crisp, 32, is in his 11th season and is not having a particularly good year. He is hitting just .243, with a .306 on-base percentage and .328 slugging percentage. His career averages are .273/.328/.401. Crisp, though, has speed that the Yankees currently lack without Gardner. Crisp stole 49 bases last season and has 18 this season in 64 games. Gardner also stole 49 bases a season ago.
Crisp has approximately $10 million remaining on a contract that runs through the 2013 season.