Crawford, Rays commiserate in the poorhouse

[cruzg24]

The scene, so familiar the past two years, played out again Tuesday night. The Tampa Bay Rays, an unparalleled collection of young baseball-playing talent, hugged and jumped and celebrated together. They won their first game of the season in dramatic fashion, and their whooping included no pretense. They were thrilled for the fans, for each other and for the man in the middle of their makeshift mosh pit.

His name is Carl Crawford, and he is, very simply, the Tampa Bay Rays. Crawford is a 28-year-old left fielder for the Rays. He has won four American League stolen-base titles, hit .300 or better four times and is generally considered the best defensive player at his position in the major leagues. Crawford remains the lone link between the historically disastrous Rays of the early 2000s and the wildly talented Rays of the new decade – a team that, despite limited resources, fields a lineup with almost every bit the talent of their top American League East foes, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

“I’ve seen it grow from nothing to something, and I’ve been fortunate to be a part of that,” Crawford said. “When something like that happens, it has a special place inside you. So, you know, you remember that.”

Crawford paused. He knew the next sentence needed to escape from his lips. It still pained him to say it.

“And then,” he said, “you do what you have to do.”

Because he epitomizes the Rays, and because the Rays players and executives revere him, they don’t want to think about what he will have to do seven months from now. The World Series will be over, and Crawford will officially be a free agent. Tampa Bay’s payroll clocks in around $70 million this year, and it’s a number for which franchise owner Stuart Sternberg is stretching. It likely won’t stay that high. Crawford will command $15 million a year, minimum, on the open market. Never has a pending divorce been so obvious.

Each side dances around the subject. Crawford wants to stay. Rays general manager Andrew Friedman wants him to stay. Only baseball isn’t a game with a socialistic bent. The sport’s poor get insulted and injured, and everyone goes about their merry, money-making way.

“We expect him to be a big part of it this year – and, hopefully, for many more years to come,” Friedman said. “But we understand the situation.”

Which is that come opening day 2011, Carl Crawford, heart of the Rays, will be just the latest mercenary on a big-money team – and the first in a long line of Rays who could chase green in other pastures. First baseman Carlos Pena(notes) hits free agency next year. Shortstop Jason Bartlett(notes) follows in 2011, center fielder B.J. Upton(notes) and relief ace J.P. Howell(notes) in 2012. Starter Matt Garza(notes) and super utilityman Ben Zobrist(notes) could hit paydirt in 2013.

Even though Friedman maneuvers deftly in almost all respects of his job – he locked up the team’s best player, Evan Longoria(notes), through 2016, circumvents service-time problems with aplomb and built the best farm system in the minor leagues – he alone cannot stop the inevitable. In less than a year, the Rays will bleed talent. To cauterize themselves would take a miracle.

“It’s too bad,” said Scott Kazmir(notes), the former Rays ace whom they traded to the Los Angeles Angels last year. “I really hope they don’t turn into a situation like Oakland, where everyone says, ‘All those guys used to play for them?’ It’s going to, though. All that talent is going to go, and there’s nothing they can do about it.”

As much as Kazmir’s prediction sounds like doomsday, Crawford agreed: “He might have a point.” And as the Rays compete in the best division since baseball realigned in 1994, they face a reality nothing can change.

Well, almost nothing.

Source: yahoosports.com

Its sad to see Crawford leave the Rays, but it will happen. He should be a Ray for life, but a big market club will sign him. I think its going to be the Yankees because while the Outfield is good, it isnt great. And only greatness is required there.

 

[Rios15]

I always liked Crawford for his speed, him leaving the Rays could hurt them. I'd hate to see him as a Yankee.

 

[.infamous]

Haha Yeah I can see him being a Yankee. On every Franchise I do the Yankees always get him.

 

[snipezo]

You never know.

 

[Blake]

God I hope he remains a Ray for life.