Rays Notes: Crawford, Baldelli, Wheeler

I bet Crawford can't wait to bolt out of Tampa. He needs to start throwing bats at umps and hope to get traded soon.

Crawford is not only an excellent player, he is a class act. He would not disrespect the game in order to get traded. However, like Kazmir, I think he has had enough of the "Rays Way" and will opt for free agency as soon as he can.

Im not a huge Rays fan, but it seems like there getting better the past couple of years and making better decisions. It seems to me that over the next couple of years they are set up nice to contend. But with that said can you really see the Rays competing with the Yanks and Red Sox on a yearly basis? I wish them the best and thank god my Braves arent in the AL east.

Players care more about $$ than they do winning...

See Zito/Rowand for Example

Well if Crawford can get 6/100 on the open market or 6/80 to stay with a potentially incredible Rays team, then I think he takes the 6/80. I have this feeling that Tampa may end up bringing that payroll from like the $50M it is now to closer to $75-80M at least by the end of 2010.

First off, just realize that Crawford's "statement" was actually written by a Public Relations person, that's the way it's generally done.

Second, this is no knock on either Crawford or Kazmir or any other player, but if a person is offered 25% more salary to work for a more prestigious company they usually take the offer. I know I would.

The Rays generally play in front of 9,000 people. Unless of course they are playing a popular team (ie. Yankees, Red Sox)in which case most of the "home" crowd is rooting against them. They get very little recognition compared to other teams, nationwide. On top of that the losing has got to wear on the players. Who wouldn't want to leave that situation if they could?

Scribbletone, I applaud your enthusiasm for the Rays' prospects but they will not be enough to compete. Generally, if you are lucky, 1/3 of the prospects become stars, 1/3 become average MLB players for 5 yrs, and 1/3 are downright flops. Just a few years ago I heard of the great bounty of outfielders the Rays had in the minors. You may have heard of Josh Hamilton, Elijah Dukes, Rocco Baldelli, Delmon Young and BJ Upton. Out of those 5 players only Upton remains, with a #3 SP, Matt Garza, received in a trade for Young. Things happen, the best laid plans don't materialize.

I guess a part of it is that I just kinda have a soft spot for the Rays. No logical reason I just like them. I just really wanna see them be successful and I honestly believe that Crawford could/should be a huge part of that. Now if he leaves to come to Chicago to play center, then screw Tampa.

I also have an appreciation for teams that are willing to build up massive amounts of young talent (even if they essentially have to) and let it unfold. Nothing entertains me more than young players, so teams built around them fascinate me. I just really wanna see this team succeed.

And yeah I guess its a pretty damn valid point that if Crawford gets a 6/100 offer from Boston and 6/80 offer from Tampa that he'll be playing for the Red Sox. I just wish he wouldn't..

Oops, this ended up in the wrong thread yesterday ~ but seems moot now anyway with the new post. Guess I’ll give it anyway:

“Is there something about Crawford that makes you think he'd leave $20MM on the table? Especially if the other offer is from a perennial contender?”

There wouldn’t really be an offer on the table though ~ it would all be speculative money to Crawford because it would be a contract extension prior to you being a FA or play out your time and leave. Its take 6/80 to stay with the team you came up with as they are preparing to and/or are competing, or take your chances on the FA market maybe landing yourself 6/100.

Personally, I think he will get a contract worked out if the two side talk about the real plans of the club. Its not hard to see that this team is preparing to contend, and if the FO tells Crawford that they will do what is needed when its needed; well then his angst should be eased. I mean, we are still talking 3 years of negotiating time, and a lot can happen between now and then. The team could finish in second this year to the BoSox, spend for a needed FA or two for next year and all of a sudden Crawford would be changing his tune. I thinks it’s the Johan thing ~ if we are going to compete, lets compete; but I don’t want half-way commitments or compete solely from within.