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Carl Crawford Rumors: Monday

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When Jayson Werth signed a seven-year deal worth $126MM, it appeared to be a positive sign for Carl Crawford. Here’s the latest on Crawford and whether the Werth deal really does impact his bargaining power:

  • ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark suggests Werth's contract may give Crawford fewer options, since few teams will be able to meet his demands. Stark suggests the Yankees are the lone team that can afford to offer the left fielder $180MM.
  • Crawford is the Angels' top priority and the Tigers have definite interest, according to Stark.
  • Angels GM Tony Reagins told Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times that he doesn't have a reaction to the Werth deal since what other clubs do "doesn't affect" the way the Angels operate. I'm guessing the Angels did not like what the Nationals did one bit.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports explained earlier today that the Red Sox could be priced out of the market for Crawford.

Stark On Crawford, Beltre, Lee, Greinke, Bartlett

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In his latest piece for ESPN.com, Jayson Stark discusses the ripple effect that Jayson Werth's $126MM deal will have on the remaining free agents. One AL official opines that it raises Carl Crawford's price in a "big, big way": "He's looking at maybe eight years, $180 million now, maybe 10 years, $190 million." Here are the rest of Stark's hot stove notes:

  • Crawford is the clear top target for the Angels, but in the past they've tried to avoid going as high as eight years for any player, let alone ten.
  • Despite getting Werth's contract done already, Scott Boras often drags out negotiations for his top clients. Stark polled a dozen people across baseball on when Adrian Beltre would sign, and many predicted it wouldn't happen until Christmas or later.
  • Neither the Yankees or Rangers have made a formal offer to Cliff Lee yet, but many of those baseball people polled by Stark expect a deal to get done within the next week.
  • There's good news and bad news for the Royals and Zack Greinke's trade value: with many free agent arms coming off the board already, Greinke has become more valuable in a pitching-thin market. However, according to one AL source, "Greinke has been trying to convince the Royals that it's not a great idea if he's there next year," which reduces Kansas City's leverage.
  • The Diamondbacks haven't totally ruled out trading Justin Upton, though it appears unlikely. Kevin Towers tells Stark "it's going to take somebody a little on the crazy side" to get anything done.
  • There's a sense that Jason Bartlett is the player most likely to be traded this week. However, Stark has trouble finding a team in need of a shortstop that matches up well with the Rays, who would like a late-inning reliever in return.
  • With Werth off the market, the Phillies will look to replace him with a complementary player rather than a big name. Stark lists Scott Hairston, Jeff Francoeur, and Matt Diaz as a few possible targets. Philadelphia has also been trying to find a taker for Raul Ibanez, but would likely have to eat a good chunk of salary to do so.

Carl Crawford Rumors: Sunday

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In his ESPN.com blog entry today (Insider required), Buster Olney passes along an interesting note: Agents that have spoken to Olney believe "a ton" of free agents will sign within the next week. Of course, while we could see a lot of second- or third-tier names come off the board, it may take a little longer for elite players like Carl Crawford to sign. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that Crawford's representatives have told teams negotiations could take some time, with plenty of suitors emerging. Here are today's other Crawford-related tidbits:

  • Crawford would be a perfect fit for the Angels, says Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. According to DiGiovanna, the Angels, who have long been considered a favorite to land Crawford, would prefer to pay the outfielder a higher annual salary over five or six years rather than guaranteeing seven or eight years.
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post discusses the Yankees' interest in Crawford, writing that the team is "staying in touch if, for no other reason, to make sure the Red Sox pay a premium should he go to Boston." Sherman doesn't expect the Yankees to seriously consider Crawford unless they miss out on Cliff Lee and need to use one of their current outfielders to trade for a pitcher.
  • Within Cafardo's aforementioned piece, he notes that Theo Epstein and the Red Sox are reluctant to dish out long-term deals, meaning it's unlikely they'd make Crawford an eight-year offer.

Rangers Interested In Crawford, Konerko

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5:47pm: MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan says that the Rangers have just "kicked the tires" on Crawford, but are "far more in" on Paul Konerko. The team obviously likes both players, but they feel Konerko is the better fit given their needs. 

1:49pm: The Rangers are in on free agent outfielder Carl Crawford and the interest is mutual, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter).  The Angels and the Yankees are also of particular interest to Crawford, Heyman tweets.

If Texas were to land Crawford, they would have to creatively re-align their outfield.  Crawford would presumably take over in left field, likely making Josh Hamilton the full-time center fielder.  Hamilton's career -6.0 UZR/150 in center field indicates that he's below average at that position.

Earlier today, ESPN's Buster Olney surmised that the BoSox will still have enough money after the Adrian Gonzalez trade to go after someone like Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth.  However, Heyman believes that recent events make Werth to the Red Sox a likely scenario.

Adrian Gonzalez Trade Falls Through

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SUNDAY, 5:17pm: The Red Sox still have not given up on pulling off a deal for Gonzalez and there remains a chance that they could do a trade without agreeing to an extension, tweets Heyman.

2:45pm: Odds are that Gonzalez won't wind up with the Red Sox, a source tells Morosi (via Twitter), though the reporter cautions that this could change quickly.  Meanwhile, a rival executive told Rosenthal (via Twitter) that the possibility of a deal happening won't die unless the Red Sox turn around and sign Adrian Beltre.  The third baseman may have lost a suitor this afternoon as it seems that the A's will turn their attention elsewhere.

2:19pm: The possibility of Gonzalez going to Boston isn't dead yet, a source tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).

2:00pm: Late Thursday, a Padres source indicated that the club wouldn't field more offers for Gonzalez if the deal with Boston didn't work out, Heyman tweets. 

1:56pm: Even though the window is closed for an extension, the two teams can still work out a deal, tweets Rosenthal.

1:43pm: The deal fell through, a source tells Jon Heyman of SI (via Twitter).

1:32pm: Boston might be okay with just laying out parameters with Gonzalez and finalizing a deal during Spring Training if the slugger is healthy, says Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter).

1:13pm: The BoSox could still make the deal without an extension, provided that the parameters are close, Heyman tweets.  Going into overtime may not be an issue as the league understands the significance of the player and the situation, Heyman adds (via Twitter).

1:07pm: As of a couple of minutes before the 1pm CST (2pm EST) deadline, both sides were at a standstill, tweets Alex Speier of WEEI.

12:41pm: Gonzalez's camp doesn't want to discuss an extension unless it happens now, tweets Dan Hayes of the North County Times.  He adds that this could be a sticking point in the talks.

12:29pm: Unsurprisingly, there is a strong sense in the Gonzalez talks that the BoSox won't make the trade unless there is an understanding that a deal can be reached, Buster Olney of ESPN tweets.  The negotiating deadline is at 1pm CST.

10:11am: CSNNE.com's Sean McAdam and Dan Hayes of the North County Times provide conflicting updates: McAdam tweets that there's a "good feeling" following talks that continued through the night. On the other hand, Hayes tweets that the two sides are at something of an impasse, and there's a chance the trade won't happen. The negotiating deadline is now less than three hours away.

8:26am: Heyman (Twitter link) hears that teams discussing Gonzalez with the Padres told San Diego they only wanted to talk parameters for an extension because of the slugger's shoulder issue. As Alex Speier of WEEI.com explains, however, the surgically repaired shoulder isn't the only reason it might make sense to postpone an official extension – the Red Sox could save millions in luxury taxes by waiting until the season begins to ink a deal.

Meanwhile, an AL executive tells Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that he thinks Gonzalez is seeking an eight-year contract worth about $160MM. Cafardo suggests that, while the Sox may not go that high, a compromise seems likely. The negotiating window closes in just a few hours, so we should get some resolution soon.

SATURDAY, 10:34pm: The Red Sox suggested a six-year contract at some point during the negotiations according to Heyman (Twitter links), but they don't want to do a contract on par with Mark Teixeira's eight year, $180MM pact.

9:26pm: Heyman tweets that the Red Sox might be willing to make the trade without signing Gonzalez to an extension. They might actually prefer to just talk about contract parameters now, then see how his surgically repaired shoulder holds up in Spring Training. In the off chance that the trade does not happen, the Padres would keep Gonzalez and not field offers.

8:41pm: In a pair of tweets, SI.com's Jon Heyman says that the two sides are optimistic about reaching a deal before tomorrow's deadline. He adds that even though Gonzalez, David Ortiz, and J.D. Drew are all left-handed hitters, the Red Sox would not be discouraged from pursuing Carl Crawford, another lefty bat.

7:22pm: Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reports that the two sides have not yet reached an agreement, but they're still trying. He notes that if they can't work out a contract, the Red Sox could still choose to go forward with the trade if they feel they've made enough progress and are confident they could extend Gonzalez in the future.

5:21pm: With all of the players agreed to and the physical passed, the only thing left before the Adrian Gonzalez trade can be made official is a new contract. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (via Twitter) that the first baseman and his new team won't have very long to negotiate; the deadline is 2pm ET on Sunday.

Earlier today we heard that Gonzalez was seeking a Ryan Howard-like contract, and in the past a deal on par with Mark Teixeira's has been rumored. 

Olney’s Latest: Gonzalez, Red Sox, Reynolds, Reyes

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Rival executives have been expecting Adrian Gonzalez to land with the Red Sox at some point, and right now it's on the verge of happening. ESPN's Buster Olney writes (Insider req'd) that once the Gonzalez deal is complete, Boston will still have enough financial flexibility and the leverage to pursue a high-priced player like Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth.

The Padres, meanwhile, will be left to explain to the fan base that trading the team's best player is a good thing. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors…

  • The Orioles are the "clear front-runner" for Mark Reynolds. Last night we heard that Chris Tillman's name has come up in trade talks.
  • The Mets will listen to offers for Jose Reyes, and unless the two sides agree to a contract extension, they will move the shortstop before the trade deadline next July.

Olney On Crawford, Berkman, Konerko

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The Angels are seen as the favorites to sign Carl Crawford and we know the Red Sox met with him and his representatives, but it looks like at least one more American League team has strong interest in the left fielder. ESPN.com's Buster Olney has the details:

  • The Yankees are very much engaged in conversations with Crawford, though it's unclear whether they have the flexibility to spend on him and Cliff Lee (Twitter links). The Yankees plan to set up a meeting with Crawford, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link).
  • The A's are targeting Lance Berkman enthusiastically, but they haven't started talking salary with him (Twitter link).
  • The White Sox still appear to be the favorites to sign Paul Konerko, Olney writes. The Orioles and Cubs appear to be in on the first baseman, but the Diamondbacks may no longer be bidding for him.
  • Olney says the Nationals missed out on a chance to extend Adam Dunn or recoup more value for him. 
  • Olney boldly predicts that the Yankees will reach an agreement with Derek Jeter today.

Red Sox Met With Crawford, Werth

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THURSDAY, 12:10am: Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona met with Scott Boras and Jayson Werth in Chicago on Wednesday, reports ESPN's Gordon Edes.

WEDNESDAY, 1:58pm: The Red Sox are serious about Crawford and have met with him and his representatives in Houston, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown (on Twitter).  The Angels have also met face-to-face with Crawford, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

8:28am: The Red Sox have been relatively quiet this offseason, making a waiver claim and a couple minor trades, but generally staying out of the spotlight. They’ve been busy behind the scenes, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald who reports the team is working hard to sign Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth.

Silverman suggests Crawford is asking for an eight-year deal and Werth is asking for a six-year deal.  Since teams such as the Angels, Rangers and Tigers could use outfielders and have money, the asking price in terms of dollars and years figures to remain high for both players.

As Silverman points out, a new deal could surpass the J.D. Drew and John Lackey contracts to become the largest free agent deal under Boston's current ownership group.

Stark On Soriano, Quentin, Phillies, Astros

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As ESPN.com's Jayson Stark points out in this week's Rumblings & Grumblings, there's not much starting pitching available after Cliff Lee and Carl Pavano. Stark examines alternatives for pitching-starved teams and provides some rumors along the way. Here they are:

  • Though it appeared to some baseball people as though the Angels were trying to sign Rafael Soriano before the Winter Meetings, it now appears that their search for relief pitching is secondary to their pursuit of Carl Crawford.
  • Stark sees indications that the Angels are showing "very little" interest in Jayson Werth so far this offseason.
  • The White Sox still say they're not shopping Carlos Quentin, but rival teams say Chicago will listen to offers.
  • The Phillies don't plan on pursuing a trade for Quentin, according to Stark.
  • Arthur Rhodes appears to be one of Philadelphia's top left-handed relief targets, followed by Pedro Feliciano. Neither reliever would cost the Phillies a draft pick, which is their preference.
  • The Astros have quietly been shopping for an affordable outfielder who bats from the left side.

American League Free Agent Arbitration Decisions

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23 American League free agents were offered arbitration on November 23rd.  Four of those - Joaquin Benoit, John Buck, Victor Martinez, and Javier Vazquez - already have new contract agreements.  Current free agent Kevin Gregg has chosen to decline.  The remaining 18 AL free agents offered arbitration will have their decisions noted here and in our tracker.

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