Talking to Jim Bowden of MLB Home Plate (Twitter link), Rays Senior VP of Baseball Operations Gerry Hunsicker said it would take extraordinary circumstances for top prospect Desmond Jennings to play in the Majors this year. Jennings is regarded by most as the sixth-best prospect in the game, and it seemed quite possible that he'd muscle his way into the outfield picture this summer. If Jennings is expected to remain in Triple A, perhaps Carl Crawford is less likely to be traded (although maybe a Crawford trade qualifies as an extraordinary circumstance).
Both Crawford and Carlos Pena will be eligible for free agency after the season, and Hunsicker told Bowden it will be very difficult to retain both. Rays owner Stuart Sternberg is on record saying, "We're going to do everything we can to make sure [Crawford] stays here longer." And Rays president Matt Silverman said the team is currently focused on Crawford, with talks ongoing. That doesn't necessarily make Pena a midseason trade candidate, as the Rays need his bat to contend. Pena told Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times today that he hopes to stay with the Rays beyond 2010 and is extremely grateful for the opportunity no matter what happens.
With Jennings in the fold, it would almost be silly for the Rays not to re-stock the system further and turn Crawford into some top young cost controlled players/prospects.
That said, if the Rays are going to try to sign Crawford, that’s a different story, but I think the Yankees have put out enough hints that Crawford knows huge money is waiting for him after this season in NY if he wants it.
It just depends if Crawford is like Mauer and isn’t chasing every last dollar and wants to stay where he started and win there.
Crawford on the trade market could net a very nice package from a contending team.
Still, I expect the Rays to be in it all season so I’m not sure there’s going to be a point where they decide to trade Crawford and give up on the season.
It’s a tough call.
If I were GM and I felt Jennings was almost ready, I’d see if could get better talent in season for Crawford than what you’d get in the 2 draft picks for him if/when he leaves as a free agent.
As for Pena, I think he’s a Boras client which means he’s going to be difficult to resign. If you could get better than what the draft picks would offer for him, you definitely trade him since the chances of resigning him to a deal the club can live with are slim.
He’d actually be a good rental for the Mets if they somehow can stay in the race.
If the Rays are out of the race on 7/31, then sure, you entertain the possibility of dealing him, but would a team give up more value than the two picks Crawford will bring in the 2011 draft? Either way, this teams looks very competitive, albeit in a very tough (as usual) division, so I don’t see them dealing Crawford unless some team severely overpays.
A very gracious attitude on Peña’s part. You don’t necessarily hear that every day.
Yeah, maybe he’ll even take a home town discount.
I think that it should take an extrodinary circumstance for Jennings to not play in the Majors this season. He’s 22 years old, and has succesfully taken his bat through the Rays minor league system without much trouble. How bad would Zobrist at second and Jennings in right or center with Upton moving to right be?
Give the kid a chance. Come on…
Well although it’s a small sample to judge from, evidence seems to indicate that there’s a decent chance that Zobrist will be able to handle 2B on a regular basis just fine. Meanwhile, and while I kind of LOVE Upton right where he is, now is probably the time to find out what Jennings is. So if there are clear indications that he is ready to handle it coming out of ST, why not stick him in RF, and spell him in CF every few games and see how he does? You’ll never see how he’ll do…until you see how he’ll do!
Given the uncertain economic conditions, it’s tough to accurately gauge Crawford’s value right now. Also, it’s difficult to know if his 2009 season will be indicative of his next few seasons. My guess is something like $15m per year, but he may want more than that.
5/75 or 6/90 is what i think he’ll end up getting, possibly.
agreed. when speed and defense are your two best attributes and those two qualaties seem to diminish in your mid 30’s, a 5-6 contract seems most plausible.
Somebody’s got to hit the road if they’re going to get the payroll down around the 60 million mark as they said they will.
Heyward or Jennings whose better?
Wow Baseball Thats a “HOT” topic if you knowwhat i mean!!!!
Do you have any serious comments? If not, please leave.
He’ll fizzle out soon enough & return to the land of idiots.
Jeff N.,Pena, and Jennings to the braves for Mcann and Heyward.