Coco Crisp: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation Surrounding Athletics OF

After seven seasons, it appears outfielder Coco Crisp and the Oakland Athletics are headed for a contentious divorce. 

Continue for updates.

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Indians Interested in Crisp

Tuesday, Aug. 30

Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reported the Cleveland Indians are discussing a potential trade for Crisp.

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Crisp Accuses A's of Benching Him for Financial Reasons

Tuesday, Aug. 16

Crisp said Monday the A's have been avoiding playing him so his 2017 option does not kick in, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle: 

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I’m extremely hurt, the way things are being handled. I’m not calling anyone names, but this is really frustrating and disappointing. This has been my favorite organization going back to when I was a kid, because of Rickey Henderson, and I’ve enjoyed playing here so much, and I’ve put it all out there. ... Up until recently, it’s been tremendously enjoyable.

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Crisp has been relegated to the bench against left-handed pitchers, and he has become suspicious of the team's motives when he hasn't been used as a pinch hitter.

“This is shady. Everyone else is getting used off the bench,” Crisp said. “[Melvin] can’t even look me in the eye right now.”

Crisp is hitting .239/.307/.410 with 10 home runs and 46 runs batted in. He has spent the last seven seasons in Oakland, making him the longest-tenured player on the roster. The A's could look to move him before the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline, but Crisp has 10-and-5 rights.

“But this team has never been motivated to give up a dollar,” Crisp’s agent, Steve Comte, said, per Slusser. “I know Billy Beane has always been fond of Coco, but what they’re doing now is really a joke. I’ve advised Coco to take the high road, but the way things are going is a disservice to him.”

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A's Wise to Give Youth a Shot in Lost Season

Crisp, 36, is due $13 million in 2017, should he appear in 130 games. He has appeared in 93 of 119 games so far, meaning he can only miss five more games for that option to vest.

While the veteran has not spent any time on the disabled list, the A's have become increasingly picky about when they play him. Manager Bob Melvin has sat Crisp 13 times since the beginning of July after leaving him out as many times in the first three months of the season—four of which were due to a lingering heel injury.

The path to playing time will become even more difficult in September when rosters expand to 40 players. It seems almost preordained that Crisp will leave the place he's played for nearly half of his career with a bad taste in his mouth.

With the A's well out of contention, though, it's hard to blame them for wanting to give younger guys time if Crisp isn't in their plans.