Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp hasn’t had the best of springs this year after absolutely mashing the ball last season. Of course, you know what I am going to say. It’s only spring training so stop your worrying.

Well for me it’s hard not to worry about it because even after his hot start to spring training last year, he broke his finger stealing third base in the 5th game of the year. At the time, he was being counted on to replace Johnny Demon. He eventually came back to the club and essentially played with 9 fingers. His words not mine.

“I played with nine fingers last year,” he said, “so if I can put up those numbers with nine fingers, I should be able to play better with 10, like the years I had in the past.”

You have to wonder if the finger is still bothering him. He had a pin removed in December and said he was still a little stiff. He was hoping it would go away by April. He says his finger is healthy. I really have to wonder if he’s just saying that to appease the media.

“I feel fine at the plate. It’s just spring training, so it doesn’t really matter about results at all. I feel 100 percent fine.”

“I really don’t care about showing anybody anything. I just go out there to have fun,” Crisp said. “Whatever happens, happens. If they come out and enjoy watching me play, that’s good for them. As far as me going out there to prove something, I’ve already done that. I’ve already done what I can do. It’s just a matter of me going out there and doing it again.”

A healthy Coco means lots of stolen bases for the Red Sox. Normally he is a lead-off hitter but with the addition of Julio Lugo, he will probably bat in the 8th spot. He would be a great #2 hitter behind Lugo but by moving him to the bottom of the order, he brings some speed.

I have seen Coco play in the minors and I was left truly impressed with his speed. He could steal a base like he was stealing candy from a baby. He has the wheels. It’s just a matter of him getting a hit. When we watched him play in the minors, our first comment was a single or a walk was a double for Coco. Let’s hope he stays healthy and is able to do that again.