Report: Carl Crawford wants out of Tampa

[Dick Allen]

I seriously can't believe the Rays have the resources to commit to Crawford for a multi-year extension, esp. if they're still holding Burrell's contract the next couple years. They sold Kazmir this season already, for example.

Burrell is signed only through 2010. If the White Sox don't have the money to consider guys like Figgins, I don't know how they would have the money to pay Crawford, maybe if they didn't owe Alex Rios $60 million, but they unfortunately do.

[BurlyMan56]

*unzips pants and touches self* c'mon Kenny

[Balta1701]

Burrell is signed only through 2010. If the White Sox don't have the money to consider guys like Figgins, I don't know how they would have the money to pay Crawford, maybe if they didn't owe Alex Rios $60 million, but they unfortunately do.

More fascinating stats...while both had a single down year (Rios last year, Crawford in 2008)...if you take a look at their OPS+ numbers, Rios has 2 seasons, 2006 and 2007, that are better than any season Crawford has put up offensively. His kinda down year in 2008 where he put up a 112 OPS+...that would be a pretty good year for Crawford. And Rios is more than likely a better CF to boot. We get the player Toronto had...and that's more production than you'd get from Crawford for less money.

[elrockinMT]

More fascinating stats...while both had a single down year (Rios last year, Crawford in 2008)...if you take a look at their OPS+ numbers, Rios has 2 seasons, 2006 and 2007, that are better than any season Crawford has put up offensively. His kinda down year in 2008 where he put up a 112 OPS+...that would be a pretty good year for Crawford. And Rios is more than likely a better CF to boot. We get the player Toronto had...and that's more production than you'd get from Crawford for less money.

 

 

That is interesting to say the least

[iamshack]

More fascinating stats...while both had a single down year (Rios last year, Crawford in 2008)...if you take a look at their OPS+ numbers, Rios has 2 seasons, 2006 and 2007, that are better than any season Crawford has put up offensively. His kinda down year in 2008 where he put up a 112 OPS+...that would be a pretty good year for Crawford. And Rios is more than likely a better CF to boot. We get the player Toronto had...and that's more production than you'd get from Crawford for less money.

To boot! And that's not factoring in that Crawford refuses to play center field anyways.

[Dick Allen]

They are 2 different type players. I haven't heard that Crawford refuses to play CF, he has played CF as recently as 2008, but I don't think there is a GM alive who would take Rios over Crawford.

[SoxAce]

I don't get why people are arguing Rios vs Crawford as far as position. Crawford is a superior LF defensively. That's where he belongs and where he fits comfortably.

[Wanne]

Why the hell wouldn't Tampa exercise their option?!? Sorry dude...it's a business. If they can get return for you they do it.

[witesoxfan]

I think I'd actually prefer Crawford to Gonzalez. Both are fantastic players and bring certain aspects to this team that it sorely lacks. However, with the addition of Crawford, you are then free to go out and sign Thome/Johnson/LaRoche to whatever deal, and it leaves you with a balanced offensive attack, brings in an athletic player who has proven himself capable, potentially saves you from dealing Hudson (though I wouldn't necessarily count on it), and, in the next 7 years (assuming you negotiate a contract extension with both if you were to hypothetically acquire one of them), saves you money and allows for flexibility with others.

 

Affording it becomes difficult, but if Linebrink can be given away, you can figure something out around it. And come this offseason, the Sox shed even more salary.

 

Hypothetically speaking, it'd be

Crawford - LF

Beckham - 2B

Johnson/Quentin - DH/RF

Quentin/LaRoche/Thome - RF/DH

Konerko - 1B

Pierzynski - C

Rios - CF

Ramirez - SS

Teahen - 3B

 

Every hitter is capable of putting up a .750 OPS or better (in some cases, much much better) and the outfield defense improves dramatically.

 

The idea would be to acquire him without giving up Hudson, and I think it's possible, though maybe not likely.

[Kalapse]

I haven't heard that Crawford refuses to play CF, he has played CF as recently as 2008

It's out there. He doesn't like CF and because of this he's played a total of 16 innings at the position over the past 4 years and only out of necessity. He also doesn't like to leadoff because in his mind taking pitching and working counts is not part of his game and because of this he's started 28 games out of the leadoff spot over the past 4 years and hasn't led off since his first 31 PA of '07.

[iamshack]

It's out there. He doesn't like CF and because of this he's played a total of 16 innings at the position over the past 4 years and only out of necessity. He also doesn't like to leadoff because in his mind taking pitching and working counts is not part of his game and because of this he's started 28 games out of the leadoff spot over the past 4 years and hasn't led off since his first 31 PA of '07.

My opinion of him has gradually decreased over the past few years. And not that I wouldn't be excited about the guy playing here, but he's no longer a guy I would feel comfortable trading the farm for, nor signing him to a lucrative contract. Kinda just hope we take a pass on the guy if he is available.

[Kalapse]

My opinion of him has gradually decreased over the past few years. And not that I wouldn't be excited about the guy playing here, but he's no longer a guy I would feel comfortable trading the farm for, nor signing him to a lucrative contract. Kinda just hope we take a pass on the guy if he is available.

Even when he's at his absolutely best (I tend to believe we saw his peak this past season) he's just not an elite talent in my mind. He's very good but he has a great deal of short comings.

 

If the Sox are going to sell the farm this offseason I really hope it's for a guy like Adrian Gonzalez and not Carl Crawford.

[witesoxfan]

Even when he's at his absolutely best (I tend to believe we saw his peak this past season) he's just not an elite talent in my mind. He's very good but he has a great deal of short comings.

 

If the Sox are going to sell the farm this offseason I really hope it's for a guy like Adrian Gonzalez and not Carl Crawford.

 

If Friedman demands Hudson, Williams better hang up.

[almagest]

Trading a ton of talent or spending a ton of money for a guy who figures to have an OPS+ of around 115 in his prime seasons isn't a good idea. I don't know why everyone seems to love Crawford here.

[Pants Rowland]

Trading a ton of talent or spending a ton of money for a guy who figures to have an OPS+ of around 115 in his prime seasons isn't a good idea. I don't know why everyone seems to love Crawford here.

 

Classic example of a guy who looks awesome against the Sox, in particular in the dome. I have been in love with him in the past as well for similar reasons but tend to agree that giving up a ton of talent for him would be ill-advised.

[EvilJester99]

* A report from earlier today suggesting that Carl Crawford wants out of Tampa Bay after his $10MM team option was exercised doesn't add up, writes Cork Gaines of Rays Index and Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times. Gaines points out that the alleged "handshake agreement" not to pick up Crawford's option would have happened when he signed his current deal before the '05 season, under a completely different regime.

[southsider2k5]

More fascinating stats...while both had a single down year (Rios last year, Crawford in 2008)...if you take a look at their OPS+ numbers, Rios has 2 seasons, 2006 and 2007, that are better than any season Crawford has put up offensively. His kinda down year in 2008 where he put up a 112 OPS+...that would be a pretty good year for Crawford. And Rios is more than likely a better CF to boot. We get the player Toronto had...and that's more production than you'd get from Crawford for less money.

 

Wow. That really gives you some perspective on Rios and his contract.

[3E8]

More fascinating stats...while both had a single down year (Rios last year, Crawford in 2008)...if you take a look at their OPS+ numbers, Rios has 2 seasons, 2006 and 2007, that are better than any season Crawford has put up offensively. His kinda down year in 2008 where he put up a 112 OPS+...that would be a pretty good year for Crawford. And Rios is more than likely a better CF to boot. We get the player Toronto had...and that's more production than you'd get from Crawford for less money.

If you use a more comprehensive offensive metric like wOBA (details here), there is no difference at all between their '06/'07 seasons, and Crawford's 3rd & 4th best wOBA seasons are better than Rios 3rd best

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

I think I'd actually prefer Crawford to Gonzalez. Both are fantastic players and bring certain aspects to this team that it sorely lacks. However, with the addition of Crawford, you are then free to go out and sign Thome/Johnson/LaRoche to whatever deal, and it leaves you with a balanced offensive attack, brings in an athletic player who has proven himself capable, potentially saves you from dealing Hudson (though I wouldn't necessarily count on it), and, in the next 7 years (assuming you negotiate a contract extension with both if you were to hypothetically acquire one of them), saves you money and allows for flexibility with others.

 

Affording it becomes difficult, but if Linebrink can be given away, you can figure something out around it. And come this offseason, the Sox shed even more salary.

 

Hypothetically speaking, it'd be

Crawford - LF

Beckham - 2B

Johnson/Quentin - DH/RF

Quentin/LaRoche/Thome - RF/DH

Konerko - 1B

Pierzynski - C

Rios - CF

Ramirez - SS

Teahen - 3B

 

Every hitter is capable of putting up a .750 OPS or better (in some cases, much much better) and the outfield defense improves dramatically.

 

The idea would be to acquire him without giving up Hudson, and I think it's possible, though maybe not likely.

If Linebrink's $10.5M could be given away then I think we would have already done that. Jenks would have to go in this scenario, meaning we would then need two more lefties in the bullpen, and we'd have no money left over to spend.