A's Exercise Options On Ellis & Crisp, Decline Chavez
OAKLAND (CBS / AP) -- The Oakland Athletics have exercised club options on second baseman Mark Ellis and outfielder Coco Crisp for next season, while declining an option on third baseman Eric Chavez.
Ellis will be paid $6 million in 2011 and Crisp will get $5.75 million under the options exercised Wednesday. The A's paid Chavez a $3 million buyout instead of exercising a $12.5 million option. Chavez just finished a $66 million, six-year deal.
Ellis hit .291 with five homers and 49 RBIs last season, and committed just three errors in 116 games at second base. Crisp hit .279 with eight homers, 38 RBIs and 32 stolen bases despite being limited to 75 games because of injuries.
Chavez is a six-time Gold Glove winner who hit .267 with 230 homers and 787 RBIs since being called up in 1998. His last four seasons were cut short by injuries.
Chavez said in September he may retire. The 32-year-old was playing rehab games in the Arizona Rookie League when he had to stop because two bulging disks in his neck became too bothersome each time he batted. It also affected his surgically repaired right shoulder.
"We're incredibly appreciative of everything Eric gave this organization," assistant general manager David Forst said. "He literally gave us everything his body could handle. I hope he is up to playing next year because I know that's what he wants."
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