According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, Coco Crisp will return to the Athletics on a two-year, $14 contract with a club option for 2014.
He'll make $6 million next season and $7 million in 2013 while the contract includes a $7.5 million club option for 2014 or a $1 million buyout. He would get a one-time bonus of $250,000 in the event of a trade. It's surprising to see him return to Oakland, especially when Billy Beane said he wouldn't give out any multi-year contracts this winter, but Crisp at least adds a stable veteran presence to an outfield which includes plenty of youth with Michael Taylor, Collin Cowgill and Josh Reddick. The 32-year-old batted .264/.314/.379 with eight homers and 49 steals in 136 games last year.
It's always good to have a veteran or two to help the youth movement plus Crisp could be a valuable trade piece if a contender's CFer gets hurt. He's not really a good leadoff man with that poor OBP but the man can create runs with his legs and does have a good glove. He's more of a #8 or 9 hitter.