Coco vs the Caveman

Not making any editorial comment here - I just thought this comparison between what Johnny Damon has done this year vs what Coco Crisp has done was interesting and good for some perspective:

Damon - .255 BA / 4 HR / 23 RBI / 35 R / 11 SB
Crisp - .247 BA / 3 HR / 18 RBI / 35 R / 13 SB

The numbers are very close although Damon clearly has the slight edge.

Three very big differences to note though:

1. Damon has an OBP of .345 which is just OK for a leadoff hitter but the OBP looks great compared to Crisp's .302 OBP (although to be fair - Coco is a bottom of the order guy and not a leadoff hitter like Damon).

2. Crisp has been great in the field this year whereas Damon's injuries have precluded him from making any significant contributions in the field.

3. Crisp is 27-years old while Damon is 33-years old. Crisp is also owed $10.5 million over the next two years while Damon will take home $26 million over the same period.

Red Sox fans have been very down on Coco Crisp this season but I think if you look at the facts that you have to conclude that the Red Sox did make the right move in not bringing back Johnny Damon.