Crisp to battle for Red Sox CF job

Feb 20, 2008 - 8:34 PM FORT MYERS, Florida (Ticker) -- Boston Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp could not help but be a bit disappointed in his role-player status during the team's drive to another World Series title in 2007.

He has no interest in a similar role this season. Crisp, who could only watch as young Jacoby Ellsbury took his place as the team's starting center fielder in the playoffs, feels it is time to set the record straight and reclaim his job.

"I want to play everyday," Crisp told reporters Wednesday at Red Sox spring training. "I think everybody wants to play everyday and if you don't, I think there's something wrong with you.

"I don't want to sit on the bench. I could cheerlead with the best of them, but that's not where I want to be. I would honestly rather be somewhere else and play than be on the bench. But I'll take whatever comes and deal with it."

Crisp took the winter to recover from various ailments that hampered him throughout last season and added muscle, reporting to spring training at a self-disclosed 187 pounds - roughly 14 pounds heavier than normal.

Entering his third year in Boston, Crisp hopes injuries won't play the same role in his first two seasons with the Red Sox.

"People think my offense is terrible," Crisp said. "Well, now it's time for me to prove that it isn't. I went through a couple of bruised-up years."

Crisp, after a career-best .300 season in 2005 with the Cleveland Indians, has batted just .264 and .268 in his first two seasons in Boston, with a total of 14 home runs in those two campaigns.

And while manager Terry Francona has the ultimate say, All-Star designated hitter David Ortiz has already thrown his hat in the ring for Crisp.

"Everybody knows Coco can play, no doubt about it," Ortiz told the MLB.com. "Right now, I'm pretty sure Coco is our center fielder. (The coaches) are the ones to make the decision."