D-Rays Shopping Crawford
Back on December 5th, a source close to Tampa Bay's scouting department threw out the idea that Carl Crawford could be dealt. In particular, the Devil Rays had interest in 23 year-old righthander Ervin Santana. Despite new management since then, the rumor has picked up steam.
My source tells me that talks have resumed between the Devil Rays and Angels and the Halos may even consider adding a second prospect with Santana to acquire Crawford. Brandon Wood is a possibility.
The Rays would like to deal an outfielder now with a Delmon Young callup in the cards for September or Opening Day 2007.
In his sophomore season, Santana has sharpened his control and lessened his home run rate to become a solid #3 starter behind Kelvim Escobar and John Lackey. Component ERA says Santana's 4.32 ERA should actually be closer to 3.29 based on his peripherals.
Crawford is at .303/.349/.454 after 56 games, well ahead of PECOTA's .287/.321/.426 projection. He's signed for 2007-09 for a total of $17.5MM, while PECOTA puts his worth at about $21MM over those three seasons. The Rays know they can leverage their outfield surplus to add a solid young starter behind Scott Kazmir.
That deal makes too much sense.. I'd love to see it happen for both sides. But I'm surprised Anaheim isn't using Santana as trade bait for a big bat.
Posted by: Ankur | June 10, 2006 at 10:54 PM
any possibility in the white sox getting him, maybe trading garland? or mccarthy even
Posted by: decolores9628 | June 10, 2006 at 11:49 PM
Wish it was felix pie and angel guzman for crawford. If that doesnt happen I hope he plays amazing for a joke of a franchise in tampa.
Posted by: ptk420biatch | June 11, 2006 at 02:55 AM
I was gonna say in the post, I think the D-Rays will be contending by '08.
Posted by: RotoAuthority | June 11, 2006 at 08:48 AM
The Angels need big bats. Period.
Crawford's a great player, and I'm sure the Angels are stupidly in love with him, but he's just not what they need at this point.
I would throw everything they have at the Marlins and try to pry Miguel Cabrera away from them.
Posted by: angelfan | June 12, 2006 at 02:07 PM
I'm also confused by the Angels interest. Clearly they need someone to protect Guerrero, not necessarily get on base for him. The offense has not been the same since they dispatched Jose Guillen. Anderson and Salmon have seen better days. And now they are "excited" the return of Darin Erstad and Maicer Izturis?
Posted by: scatterbrian | June 12, 2006 at 03:13 PM
Exactly. I'm sure I wasn't the only Angels fan secretly hoping Erstad would be out the whole year. (Not that I wish injury upon anyone.)
This team's entire offensive philosophy is flawed. They need some OPS-type guys. Crawford's a stud fantasy player but overrated in real baseball.
Posted by: angelfan | June 14, 2006 at 05:49 PM