Carl Crawford signs with the Boston Red Sox

[KandKCards]

Re: I hate the Red Sox...

Let the era of DJ begin.

(a.k.a. Crawford V. 2).

Love how some people think a guy who has 1 month of MLB experience can fill the shoes of a perennial top 10 all around player.

 

[baseballguy350]

Re: Carl Crawford just signed with the Boston Red Sox

What's going to happen with Ellisbury and Ryan Kalish now? Anyone with some insight, help me out.

Ellsbury starts in center field. Ryan Kalish starts in Pawtucket, and takes over for Drew in 2012.

 

[Jaypers]

Re: I hate the Red Sox...

Let the era of DJ begin.

(a.k.a. Crawford V. 2).

Love how some people think a guy who has 1 month of MLB experience can fill the shoes of a perennial top 10 all around player.

Love how the Rays concur with me.

Btw, just sold a 10 ct. lot of '99 TTr Crawfords for $30. Not bad.

 

[baseballguy350]

So what's the projected 2011 and 2012 payroll for the Red Sox now?

From a different site:

A new look at the 2011 payroll with a few holes still left to fill:

Player AAV

Crawford, Carl 20.29
Beckett, Josh 17.00
Lackey, John 16.50
Drew, JD 14.00
Ortiz, David 12.50
Youkilis, Kevin 10.28
Matsuzaka,Daisuke 8.67
Cameron, Mike 7.75
Pedroia, Dustin 6.75
Scutaro, Marco 6.25
Gonzalez, Adrian 6.20
Lester, Jon 6.00
Wakefield, Tim 2.50
Iglesias, Jose 2.06
Varitek, Jason 2.00
Tazawa, Junichi 1.10
Saltalamacchia, Jarrod 0.75
Atchison, Scott 0.46

Arb Eligible (Est.)

Papelbon, Jonathan 11.00
Ellsbury, Jacoby 2.00

0-3 Service Time (Est.)

Buchholz, Clay 0.50
Lowrie, Jed 0.44
Bard, Daniel 0.43
Doubront, Felix 0.43


40 man 1.50
Benefits 10.00

Total 167.36
CBT Threshold 178
Budget below CBT 10.64


In 2011, the Sox are still $10 million under the luxury tax, with some moves still to make (bullpen, maybe catcher).

In 2012, Ortiz, Matsuzaka, Scutaro, and Drew are off the books, subtracting about 41.5 mill, and Gonzalez will be on the books for $15 mil more. That would put the Sox at about $141 mil. There is a very good probability that Kalish (min salary) replaces Drew, and Iglesias (min salary) replaces Scutaro. There is less of a chance that Ortiz is replaced internally, but a chance that someone like Lars could have a bounce back year.

It's all a rough estimate, but 2012 looks like the Sox will be significantly under 2011 in payroll terms, especially with the high probability that Kalish and Iglesias replace Drew and Scutaro. The Sox will likely have to go OOO for a DH replacement, and more bullpen help in 2012, but I don't foresee anyone on the market that would fit either of those two capacities demanding more than $10 mil/year. The most likely salary increase in 2012, again in my opinion is Buchholz being signed to an extension. The wildcard for 2012 in my honest opinion is Jonathan Papelbon. I personally think he is gone, and could see another $11 million off the books, which could be used to add a 5th starter (if Doubront/Britton/Ranaudo aren't ready in 2012).

2011 will be a larger payroll than 2012.

 

[baseballguy350]

Re: I hate the Red Sox...

Love how the Rays concur with me.

I don't think they have any chance but to concur. They can't re-sign Crawford, and they don't USE money to target free agents. Tampa is the best market to have a prospect in, because you know that openings will always occur, since they can't afford to keep their own players.

*Note*
For every long term signing (Longoria), I see many more departures (Crawford, Pena, Garza, Bartlett, etc.).


In no way am I knocking on Jennings. As a matter of fact, I don't know much about him, outside of reports on BA, etc. I think that the Rays might have a gem in Jennings based on reports, but at the same time, they also don't have an option to turn anywhere but.

 

[baseballguy350]

And one final note before some others respond, I am thrilled that Crawford is on the Sox, but I am very leery of years 5-7.

The lineup this year, and for the next few years is in great position. The payroll is stretched tight to the CBT this year, but is significantly lower in 2012 and 2013. 2014 will be an interesting year with maturation, and larger contracts for the younger players.

Here's to hoping that Crawford can "save his legs" a bit playing half of his games in Fenway's left field.

In 5-7 years, yes, there is a probability that Crawford becomes an albatross in terms of contract talks, but for the next 3-5 years, I am absolutely stoked with how this lineup is.




The only two things that could make this offseason better would be:

1. Trading Ellsbury + + + anyone not named Iglesias for Hanley and plugging him into centerfield. Hey Loria, Hanley is starting to get expensive!

2. Cliff Lee signing with the Rangers and spurning New York, or going to New York on a 7 year $170 million deal, and getting pleasure in 2017 watching a 40 year old Cliff Lee make $25 million to do nothing.

 

[braden]

Years 5-7 are almost assured to be a disaster on this contract but I'm sure the Sox know that.

What I don't think has been mentioned is how Crawford's superior defence is likely going to waste a bit. What makes him so valuable in LF is the ground that he can cover. That's why he'd be so perfect in SF or something. But LF at Fenway is the smallest in the majors. Sure, it's not a problem by any means but it's like bringing a cannon to a water pistol fight.

 

[mredsox89]

Years 5-7 are almost assured to be a disaster on this contract but I'm sure the Sox know that.

What I don't think has been mentioned is how Crawford's superior defence is likely going to waste a bit. What makes him so valuable in LF is the ground that he can cover. That's why he'd be so perfect in SF or something. But LF at Fenway is the smallest in the majors. Sure, it's not a problem by any means but it's like bringing a cannon to a water pistol fight.

Yes, his range might be hampered in the small LF, but assuming he can figure out to play the wall fairly quickly, he should be able to play pretty shallow and keep a lot of those bloop hits or gappers from being hits.

And I don't necessarily think years 5-7 are assured disasters. Even if he falls to a 3 win player, he would still be worth $10M+ per year, and I think a 3 win player is underestimating what he can do in year 5/6.

 

[Tomlinson21RB]

Years 5-7 are almost assured to be a disaster on this contract but I'm sure the Sox know that.

What I don't think has been mentioned is how Crawford's superior defence is likely going to waste a bit. What makes him so valuable in LF is the ground that he can cover. That's why he'd be so perfect in SF or something. But LF at Fenway is the smallest in the majors. Sure, it's not a problem by any means but it's like bringing a cannon to a water pistol fight.

But the issues with him not having a great arm are reduced by the fact that he'll be able to play closer to the infield.

 

[elmalo]

Anybody think the Yankees might want to get a catcher now?

 

[lisu]

Congrats Carl Crawford. Hopefully you'll be worth that much to the Red Sox!!!

 

[rymflaherty]

Last night I was shocked.....last thing I saw on Crawford was this thread saying he was close to signing with the Angels. Went about my night. Figured I'd turn on Sportscenter before going to bed.....and like I said, complete shock seeing that on the bottom line.

Just went through the thread.......so here are some random thoughts regarding some of the things posted....

Yes I'll admit the Sox are closer to the Yankees than they are a team like the Giants.....but they do still have a finite budget. This was not irrational spending, but the plan Theo has had all along (hence the "bridge year comment in 10')
That being said - I accept if you want to say they "bought Crawford"...it's the truth.
I would not say they simply "bought" Gonzalez. To me that was correctly using resources - not making dumb deadline deal trades with prospects, drafting well and developing those players, and then using them to get a player you desire....same thing when the Yanks traded for Granderson, don't think Sox fans liked it due to a competitive standpoint, but not many were screaming "they were buying championships" at that one.

As for the budget....saw someone ask about that....
There's a detailed breakdown on SonsofSamHorn.....Even with the moves they are under the luxury tax (part of the reason they seem to be delaying making the Gonzalez deal official) and within budget and are set up well for the coming years.

Agree the bullpen still needs to be addressed and will be a key.

As for Lackey and Beckett.....it's not even that they have to be superstars, in the case of Beckett he just has to be "average" and they should be okay. I have to admit I'm probably more worried about Beckett at this point.....yes they overspent on Lackey, but he's basically a #4 at this point and he seemed to be more comfortable the second half of the season. He wasn't horrible - posting a sub 4.00 era they second half. I think you can live with that.....I'm really not sure what to expect from Beckett.

Oh....and WTF was with the suggestion that the Sox need to trade for Prince Fielder? Was that a joke? :lol:

 

[notjomommasclint]

i just heard this and in 4:01 minute i am going to be calling a doctor because i will have had this ******** for 4 hours! wooo ******* hoooo WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ******* HOOOOOOOOO!

 

[r2d2]

if we had resigned vmart we would have been favorites ton win it all
i still think we will be top 3ish team though
phils and texas have to be the tops 2 going in imo if lee resigns

No way they could have come up with the two players if they had resigned V-Mart.
Even with Lee I think Boston comes higher than Texas (of course, if Boston players are healthy).

 

[miguelcabrera]

i actually like this contact for all 7 years

 

[scotty21690]

Great information about the Sox future payroll, fellow FCBers. Future is looking bright!

Really hope we address bullpen needs this offseason though....IMO that is KEY!

 

[baseballguy350]

Great information about the Sox future payroll, fellow FCBers. Future is looking bright!

Really hope we address bullpen needs this offseason though....IMO that is KEY!

I agree that the 'pen needs attention, and I don't like the idea of Russ Martin.

 

[scotty21690]

Great information about the Sox future payroll, fellow FCBers. Future is looking bright!

Really hope we address bullpen needs this offseason though....IMO that is KEY!

I agree that the 'pen needs attention, and I don't like the idea of Russ Martin.

Me neither, IMO I am fine with Salty.....especially with the two bats we just added, it doesn't hurt to have one weak bat in the lineup.

 

[fengzhang]

This is a pretty terrible deal for a guy who I always thought has shown slow improvement over the years and is not much different from the player he was 7 years ago. .337 career OBP, .444 slugging, 0 100 RBI seasons, and only 3 100 run seasons. Personally, I think 20 mil a year is too much for a .300, 90 RBI, 15 HR hitter.

 

[Wes]

This is a pretty terrible deal for a guy who I always thought has shown slow improvement over the years and is not much different from the player he was 7 years ago. .337 career OBP, .444 slugging, 0 100 RBI seasons, and only 3 100 run seasons. Personally, I think 20 mil a year is too much for a .300, 90 RBI, 15 HR hitter.

Steals have no value? The guy is a top ten offensive player in baseball. RBI is a meaningless statistic.