Does Carl Crawford play 2011 in pinstripes?

[Canocollector#1]

I say yes. Maybe a little biased but the Yankees refused to give a long-term deal to a LF except for offering Damon on contract early in the off-season. There big moves this off-season came from trade, such as, Granderson and Vazquez. The Yankees will have a lot of money to spend next off-season and if not Crawford they will sign another star.

 

[Topnotchsy]

Could someone remind me how it works with compensatory prospects when a team signs a high level free agent (like Crawford would be.)

I'm trying to get a feel whether the Rays will trade him assuming there are not in the race this season. If they are in the race I think they have to hold him, and then there will be the off-season bidding. If they are out of the race I worry they would not consider trading him to NY (though I do think Tampa is shrewd enough to take the best deal possible, regardless of where it comes from.) Would the prospects (and the fact that fans love him) be enough of a reason to keep him around until the end of the season if they are out of it? (I assume if they are at all close he'll stay.)

 

[andyduke86]

off the top of my head, signing team's first round pick if it isn't in the top half and a supplemental first round pick for a Type A free agent.

 

[pigskincardboard]

I think it's funny that everyone's creaming their pants over Crawford in their uniform.

Let's remember the Rays have a tonne of depth, which is the only reason why Crawford would ever let go.

Catcher Kelly Shoppach
First Base Carlos Pena
Second Base Reid Brignac
Third Base Evan Longoria
Shortstop Jason Bartlett
Left Field Carl Crawford
Center Field Desmond Jennings
Right Field B.J. Upton
Designated Hitter Ben Zobrist

By 2011, I'm sure it'll be better than the Angels and just as good as an aging Yankees squad.

 

[Topnotchsy]

I think it's funny that everyone's creaming their pants over Crawford in their uniform.

Let's remember the Rays have a tonne of depth, which is the only reason why Crawford would ever let go.

Catcher Kelly Shoppach
First Base Carlos Pena
Second Base Reid Brignac
Third Base Evan Longoria
Shortstop Jason Bartlett
Left Field Carl Crawford
Center Field Desmond Jennings
Right Field B.J. Upton
Designated Hitter Ben Zobrist

By 2011, I'm sure it'll be better than the Angels and just as good as an aging Yankees squad.

don't think anyone is saying otherwise (those some may say Crawford will go because his contract will be too high.) The question is very simply whether you think he will wind up on the Yanks regardless of reason why, or if he will be somewhere else (like Tampa.)

 

[andyduke86]

They are already better than the Angels.

I think it's funny that everyone's creaming their pants over Crawford in their uniform.

Let's remember the Rays have a tonne of depth, which is the only reason why Crawford would ever let go.

Catcher Kelly Shoppach
First Base Carlos Pena
Second Base Reid Brignac
Third Base Evan Longoria
Shortstop Jason Bartlett
Left Field Carl Crawford
Center Field Desmond Jennings
Right Field B.J. Upton
Designated Hitter Ben Zobrist

By 2011, I'm sure it'll be better than the Angels and just as good as an aging Yankees squad.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

i voted "Yes" because i want you to make a lot of moolah

 

[Halonut]

They are already better than the Angels.

I think it's funny that everyone's creaming their pants over Crawford in their uniform.

Let's remember the Rays have a tonne of depth, which is the only reason why Crawford would ever let go

By 2011, I'm sure it'll be better than the Angels and just as good as an aging Yankees squad.

really? break it down player by player and it's pretty darn close

Catcher Kelly Shoppach-Mathis/Napoli-push
First Base Carlos Pena-Morales-Angels
Second Base Reid Brignac-Kendrick-Angels
Third Base Evan Longoria-Wood-Rays
Shortstop Jason Bartlett-Aybar-push
Left Field Carl Crawford-Rivera-slight edge to the Rays
Center Field Desmond Jennings-Hunter-Angels
Right Field B.J. Upton-Abreu-Angels
Designated Hitter Ben Zobrist-Matsui-Angels

the only thing i can say for the rays is that at CF, RF and DH they have youth and upside over the angels but jennings is unproven, upton has under performed and zobrist needs to prove that he that could do it year in, year out.

 

[Topnotchsy]

i voted "Yes" because i want you to make a lot of moolah

I'll take that.

 

[andyduke86]

They are already better than the Angels.

I think it's funny that everyone's creaming their pants over Crawford in their uniform.

Let's remember the Rays have a tonne of depth, which is the only reason why Crawford would ever let go

By 2011, I'm sure it'll be better than the Angels and just as good as an aging Yankees squad.

really? break it down player by player and it's pretty darn close

Catcher Kelly Shoppach-Mathis/Napoli-push
First Base Carlos Pena-Morales-Angels
Second Base Reid Brignac-Kendrick-Angels
Third Base Evan Longoria-Wood-Rays
Shortstop Jason Bartlett-Aybar-push
Left Field Carl Crawford-Rivera-slight edge to the Rays
Center Field Desmond Jennings-Hunter-Angels
Right Field B.J. Upton-Abreu-Angels
Designated Hitter Ben Zobrist-Matsui-Angels

the only thing i can say for the rays is that at CF, RF and DH they have youth and upside over the angels but jennings is unproven, upton has under performed and zobrist needs to prove that he that could do it year in, year out.

That would be nice except Zobrist will split time at 2b and rf, Jennings will be in the minors most of the year, Joyce will get time in RF with Zobrist, Burrell at DH, and S-Rod at 2b. Brignac will be a utility player and won't get regular ABs. Kendrick has been a huge disappointment thus far, a platoon of Zobrist/S-Rod is easily better than Howie. Bartlett is better than Aybar. Crawford is clearly much more than slightly better than Rivera. Hunter is aging and generally overrated, I'd say it's a push with Upton. Matsui is well past his prime but is probably better than Burrell. Abreu is well past his prime, Joyce/Zobrist platoon will at least equal him. You are clearly basing your assessment on what the aging veterans (especially Matsui and Abreu, Hunter to a lesser extent) on the Angels have done in the past, not what they are doing going forward. When it comes to pitching, the Rays have the edge in a landslide. The one thing the Angels do have going for them is the weak division that they play in whereas the Rays play in the AL East.

 

[rico08]

They are already better than the Angels.

I think it's funny that everyone's creaming their pants over Crawford in their uniform.

Let's remember the Rays have a tonne of depth, which is the only reason why Crawford would ever let go

By 2011, I'm sure it'll be better than the Angels and just as good as an aging Yankees squad.

really? break it down player by player and it's pretty darn close

Catcher Kelly Shoppach-Mathis/Napoli-push
First Base Carlos Pena-Morales-Angels
Second Base Reid Brignac-Kendrick-Angels
Third Base Evan Longoria-Wood-Rays
Shortstop Jason Bartlett-Aybar-push
Left Field Carl Crawford-Rivera-slight edge to the Rays
Center Field Desmond Jennings-Hunter-Angels
Right Field B.J. Upton-Abreu-Angels
Designated Hitter Ben Zobrist-Matsui-Angels

the only thing i can say for the rays is that at CF, RF and DH they have youth and upside over the angels but jennings is unproven, upton has under performed and zobrist needs to prove that he that could do it year in, year out.

I don't think it's as even as you might think.

C - I think Angels get the nod at catcher because of Scioscia and because it could be either Shoppach or Navarro at catcher. While both teams have two options, Navarro is just a poor hitter.
1B - I believe Pena is in a contract year and had almost 40 homers in 2009 without playing the entire season. I still give Morales the edge, but it's a rule rather than an exception that players do well when $$ is on the line.
2B - Can't pick Brignac over Kendrick, although both haven't lived up to potential the latter has also been on an injury streak. Brignac was the Ray's minor league POY in a year where their system was in the top 10 in baseball and Kendrick is supposed to win batting titles. Anyway, Zobrist probably plays 2B.
3B - Longoria has such an advantage over an unproven Brandon Wood that it should count double. Wood still has yet to hit in the majors; luckily, his glove will give him a fighting chance to at least play to find out. Longoria has hit 27 and 33 home runs in his first two season while playing Gold Glove caliber defense.
SS - I don't get the Aybar love. How does 90-14-66-30 .320 push with 70-5-58-14 .312? Bartlett has a chance to bat higher in the lineup for 2010, Aybar might split time with Maicer Izturis.
LF - Rivera is a pretty underrated LF compared to an often drooled over Carl Crawford, but when looking at the OF a whole, the Rays' is shut down. Between Crawford, Jennings, and Upton, a fly ball might never hit the ground. OF edge: Rays.
CF - Hunter is a vet, and a great great player: no doubt. But he's only getting older. I thought Tampa would start Upton in center and call up Jennings later at some point. Either way the Rays would be happy if Jennings it with Hunter's power. Jennings, however, will always have the speed advantage.
RF - Abreu gets great AB's, tons of walks, and has knocked in at least 100 RBI's four years in a row. But he's getting older. BJ Upton, on the other hand, has struggled to find himself a consistent spot in the batting order since hitting .300 with 20+ home runs. When Jennings pushes Upton to RF--and if he finds himself on base more, 50+ stolen bases is a possibility.
DH - I don't trust Matsui. He's DH if he's healthy, nothing if he's hurt. Still, WS MVP with almost 30 home runs last year. Zobrist has more value because he'll play a position (2B) and Burrell will DH.

For the record, I think the Mariners are better than the Angles too.

 

[Halonut]

my thoughts are pretty much in line with your's. as i said, the rays have youth and upside in their favor. however, there are quite a few players who may have had career year's last year (bartlett, zobrist, etc.) and/or are unproven. in 2010 and possibly 2011, i'd take the angels. beyond 2011....there are too many variables to predict.

 

[Halonut]

They are already better than the Angels.

I think it's funny that everyone's creaming their pants over Crawford in their uniform.

Let's remember the Rays have a tonne of depth, which is the only reason why Crawford would ever let go

By 2011, I'm sure it'll be better than the Angels and just as good as an aging Yankees squad.

really? break it down player by player and it's pretty darn close

Catcher Kelly Shoppach-Mathis/Napoli-push
First Base Carlos Pena-Morales-Angels
Second Base Reid Brignac-Kendrick-Angels
Third Base Evan Longoria-Wood-Rays
Shortstop Jason Bartlett-Aybar-push
Left Field Carl Crawford-Rivera-slight edge to the Rays
Center Field Desmond Jennings-Hunter-Angels
Right Field B.J. Upton-Abreu-Angels
Designated Hitter Ben Zobrist-Matsui-Angels

the only thing i can say for the rays is that at CF, RF and DH they have youth and upside over the angels but jennings is unproven, upton has under performed and zobrist needs to prove that he that could do it year in, year out.

That would be nice except Zobrist will split time at 2b and rf, Jennings will be in the minors most of the year, Joyce will get time in RF with Zobrist, Burrell at DH, and S-Rod at 2b. Brignac will be a utility player and won't get regular ABs. Kendrick has been a huge disappointment thus far, a platoon of Zobrist/S-Rod is easily better than Howie. Bartlett is better than Aybar. Crawford is clearly much more than slightly better than Rivera. Hunter is aging and generally overrated, I'd say it's a push with Upton. Matsui is well past his prime but is probably better than Burrell. Abreu is well past his prime, Joyce/Zobrist platoon will at least equal him. You are clearly basing your assessment on what the aging veterans (especially Matsui and Abreu, Hunter to a lesser extent) on the Angels have done in the past, not what they are doing going forward. When it comes to pitching, the Rays have the edge in a landslide. The one thing the Angels do have going for them is the weak division that they play in whereas the Rays play in the AL East.

all valid points and i agree with the fact that i am basing this on what the vets have done in the past. i'll take proven production and consistency over potential any day. imo, the only sure things the rays have are longo, crawford and pena. no one else has enough of a track record to prove otherwise. i'd venture to say that neither bartlett or zobrist match their 2009 production.

 

[jbone17]

No, because Cliff Lee will be Andy's replacement in 2011.

 

[markakis8]

agreed with everything andyduke said. only two position players i would be excited about right now as an Angels fan is Morales and Aybar.

really? break it down player by player and it's pretty darn close

Catcher Kelly Shoppach-Mathis/Napoli-push
First Base Carlos Pena-Morales-Angels
Second Base Reid Brignac-Kendrick-Angels
Third Base Evan Longoria-Wood-Rays
Shortstop Jason Bartlett-Aybar-push
Left Field Carl Crawford-Rivera-slight edge to the Rays
Center Field Desmond Jennings-Hunter-Angels
Right Field B.J. Upton-Abreu-Angels
Designated Hitter Ben Zobrist-Matsui-Angels

the only thing i can say for the rays is that at CF, RF and DH they have youth and upside over the angels but jennings is unproven, upton has under performed and zobrist needs to prove that he that could do it year in, year out.

That would be nice except Zobrist will split time at 2b and rf, Jennings will be in the minors most of the year, Joyce will get time in RF with Zobrist, Burrell at DH, and S-Rod at 2b. Brignac will be a utility player and won't get regular ABs. Kendrick has been a huge disappointment thus far, a platoon of Zobrist/S-Rod is easily better than Howie. Bartlett is better than Aybar. Crawford is clearly much more than slightly better than Rivera. Hunter is aging and generally overrated, I'd say it's a push with Upton. Matsui is well past his prime but is probably better than Burrell. Abreu is well past his prime, Joyce/Zobrist platoon will at least equal him. You are clearly basing your assessment on what the aging veterans (especially Matsui and Abreu, Hunter to a lesser extent) on the Angels have done in the past, not what they are doing going forward. When it comes to pitching, the Rays have the edge in a landslide. The one thing the Angels do have going for them is the weak division that they play in whereas the Rays play in the AL East.