Indians Acquire OF Coco Crisp For Pennant Drive From A's

TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians have added outfield depth by acquiring Coco Crisp in a trade with the Oakland Athletics.

The AL Central leaders sent pitcher Colt Hynes and cash to the A's for Crisp, who began his career with Cleveland in 2002. The 36-year-old gives the club another switch-hitter, more speed and postseason experience.

Crisp can play left or center field. The Indians were in the market for another outfielder after Michael Brantley had to undergo season-ending surgery and Abraham Almonte was disqualified from the postseason following a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.

Crisp batted .235 with 11 homers and 47 RBIs in 102 games this season. Thanks to the trade, he goes from playing on a last-place club to the Indians, who enter Wednesday's games leading their division by 4½ games.

Crisp previously played for Indians manager Terry Francona in Boston.