Coco Crisp has been a free agent. A pretty good, underrated free agent, with a decent bat and terrific defense. Recently, it was reported that Crisp had decided on a destination, but didn't want to say. That was weird, and led to speculation, including Jon Heyman's guess of the Orioles. But that was silly, because the Orioles never sign anyone. Jim Bowden asserted that Crisp was instead close to re-signing with the A's. And re-signing with the A's, Crisp apparently is. Buster Olney:

Coco Crisp is signing with Oakland, for a $6m salary in 2012, a $7m salary in '13, a club option of $7.5m for '14, with a $1 m. buyout.

Crisp will also get a $0.25 million bonus if he's traded. Probably a good thing to secure if you're signing with the A's.

So Crisp will roam the same outfield he's roamed for two years. He's expected to have different flankers in 2012 in Josh Reddick and Collin Cowgill, but Crisp will man the middle, and if history is any indication, which it is, he'll man it well. Although he's 32, he moves like he's not, having stolen 49 bases last season. Crisp has also posted a 97 OPS+ over the last three years. He's a good player.

Maybe a bit of a strange player for the A's, what with their thorough rebuilding and all, but they needed an outfielder, there's value in veterans, Crisp is familiar, and Crisp's contract isn't a huge commitment. This isn't as perplexing as the White Sox re-signing John Danks for five years. Crisp makes sense, although the cynic - realist? - might think that the A's are also trying to ward off any possible concerns that they aren't spending enough.

Crisp earned $5.75 million last season. He gets a bit of a raise, and he doesn't have to pack up his things. Packing is the worst.