529 replies to this topic

[RedOctober3829]

Abraham Twitter

PeteAbe
Source: The Red Sox have a seven-year, $142 million deal done with Carl Crawford.

Edited by RedOctober3829, 08 December 2010 - 11:33 PM.

[Flynn4ever]

This sounds good. Would love some back-up on this.

[Bongorific]

Abraham Twitter

Say what? I thought he was going to the Angels?

[Seels]

Abraham Twitter

$20 mil for this guy? Ugh. Not a big fan of this.

[PrometheusWakefield]

Abraham Twitter

Is this a joke?

If that's true, that has to be the worst free agent signing I've ever seen by this team. By a lot.

[Rough Carrigan]

Ugh. Overpay.
Carl Crawford's a really good player but he's a table setter and he's never had an on base percentage over .364 in his career. But we're going to pay him like he's Rickey Henderson.

[Wingack]

Wow, holy crap. Hello, luxury tax payments.

[JMDurron]

So, I think this means that the Gonzalez extension will definitely be announced after Opening Day. Buzzkill Pauley is an oracle.

Aside from that, my only response is WHAT THE HELL? Manny Ramirez money to Carl Crawford, who is best able to play the least valuable OF position that happens to be even less uniquely valuable to this team 81 times a season? My first reaction is not just confusion, but a slight degree of loathing for this deal.

EDIT - To add some substance to this, whoever it was who posted earlier in the offseason that the Red Sox were on board with the idea that Crawford would really develop into a plus power hitter as he ages over the next several seasons had better be right. The team would almost have to believe this, IF this rumor is even true. I need at least another solid source to buy into this.

Edited by JMDurron, 08 December 2010 - 11:38 PM.

[Foulkey Reese]

Insane overpay if this is true, but I'm excited as hell to have him on the team.

[TheYellowDart5]

That is a loony amount of money for another lefthanded bat who will be playing the easiest defensive position in Fenway's outfield and is heavily reliant on speed.

Ugh. They must really think absolutely zero of Kalish and Reddick, or even Ellsbury at this point.

[ScubaSteveAvery]

They must believe his power surge is a real and definite shift in hitting strategy or this is a pretty big risk.

[MHead81]

What, exactly, are the Angels doing?

[NoLastCall125]

When I saw this as a new thread on the sidebar, I thought it was posted in P&G.

I can't believe this is serious. I don't know if I'm pissed about this, but I would have much rather taken Lee away from the Yankees with this money if they could deal Dice-K.

Whatever. I guess I'm on board for this for now.

[Rough Carrigan]

Does this move the prescious nielsens for Tom Werner?

[86spike]

Sick of watching Carl run on our catchers, Theo?

So remember a week or so ago when Werner said the Sox were going to make a big FA signing and explore big trades?

[wutang112878]

In the interest of full disclosure, I wanted us to sign Crawford, but this seems excessive. If we are really giving Crawford this deal, we better have a very firm handshake on a Gonzo extension. Otherwise his agent has to start at this and then ask for another year and 3M+ per season, otherwise the any Gonzo extension will look very bad for Gonzo and his agent.

[mabrowndog]

Less than 45 minutes ago, Rob Bradford was on FOX25 via Skype. Asked about Crawford by sports anchor Ryan Asselta, he said the Angels appeared to have the inside track and biggest need, but that if the Yankees decided they wanted him they'd be able to win a bidding war. So unless that interview was taped several hours ago, and assuming Abraham's report is accurate, Rob was completely out of the loop on this. And that would be a first. Like Gordon Edes, Alex Speier and Ian Browne, Rob is almost always on top of major developments like this.

I have no idea how it makes sense for Crawford to sign now -- before the Cliff Lee dust has settled, and before the LAA-NYY volleys begin in earnest. Then again, who the hell knows what's been said behind the scenes by those clubs.

Edited by mabrowndog, 08 December 2010 - 11:41 PM.

[Foulkey Reese]

I swear I wouldn't be shocked if somebody hacked Abraham's Twitter or something. This is just so not like this front office.

[P'tucket, rhymes with...]

This strikes me as very uncharacteristic of the FO. No way their typically hard-headed approach led them to think 20m a year over seven freaking years is a good move.

So, where does Ellsbury start forwarding his mail to?

[Wingack]

What, exactly, are the Angels doing?

Well, I think they see Crawford not being worth 7/$142 if I had to guess.

[Jed Zeppelin]

Insane overpay if this is true, but I'm excited as hell to have him on the team.

Exactly how I feel. Would've been perfectly happy to see anyone else but the Yankees overpay for him but I'm not going to sit here and complain that he's a Red Sox.

[RedOctober3829]

Ken_Rosenthal
Confirmed: #Red Sox in agreement with Crawford. 7 yrs/142M. First reported by Boston Globe. #Angels #MLB

[TheYellowDart5]

This strikes me as very uncharacteristic of the FO. No way their typically hard-headed approach led them to think 20m a year over seven freaking years is a good move.

So, where does Ellsbury start forwarding his mail to?

Why would Ellsbury be the odd man out? Unless the Red Sox want to play Crawford out of position in CF, Ellsbury is here to stay.

If anyone, Mike Cameron should consider putting his place up for sale.

[PrometheusWakefield]

Largest contracts in MLB history.

1	Alex Rodriguez	New York Yankees	10 years (2008–2017)	Free Agency after opting out of previous contract	$275,000,000
2	Alex Rodriguez	Texas Rangers*	10 years (2001–2010)	Free agency	$252,000,000
3	Derek Jeter	New York Yankees	10 years (2001–2010)	Contract extension	$189,000,000
4	Joe Mauer	Minnesota Twins	8 years (2011–2018)	Contract extension	$184,000,000
5	Mark Teixeira	New York Yankees	8 years (2009–2016)	Free agency	$180,000,000
6	CC Sabathia	New York Yankees	7 years (2009–2015)	Free agency	$161,000,000
7	Manny Ramírez	Boston Red Sox*	8 years (2001–2008)	Free agency	$160,000,000
8	Miguel Cabrera	Detroit Tigers	8 years (2008–2015)	Contract extension	$152,300,000
9	Todd Helton	Colorado Rockies	11 years (2001–2011)	Contract extension	$141,500,000

That's Carl Crawford, slotting in between 8 and 9. If this is true, easily the most overpaid player on that list and maybe it's early to say this, but probably the most overpaid ever. Absurd, utterly horrible contract. I'm not excited to see him play here for that money.

Edited by PrometheusWakefield, 08 December 2010 - 11:43 PM.

[Laser Show]

Insane overpay if this is true, but I'm excited as hell to have him on the team.

This is pretty much where I am on this deal. I'm giddy at the thought... but really? As someone said above, this is Manny money we're talking about.

[Foulkey Reese]

Ken_Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal
Confirmed: #Red Sox in agreement with Crawford. 7 yrs/142M. First reported by Boston Globe. #Angels #MLB

Wow. This is kind of insane.

[cahlton]

Rosenthal confirms.

[Fratboy]

Shaking my head in disbelief over this. Crawford and Gonzalez are apples and oranges, yet being paid similarly. I can't express any other kind of reaction until there's more tangible proof of this.

[Fratboy]

Rosenthal confirms.

No, everybody's retweeting Abraham.

[MHead81]

Well, I think they see Crawford not being worth 7/$142 if I had to guess.

Fair enough. Forgive me, I'm still in shock and still not 100% convinced this is real.

[JBill]

Less than 45 minutes ago, Rob Bradford was on FOX25 via Skype. Asked about Crawford by sports anchor Ryan Asselta, he said the Angels appeared to have the inside track and biggest need, but that if the Yankees decided they wanted him they'd be able to win a bidding war. So unless that interview was taped several hours ago, and assuming Abraham's report is accurate, Rob was completely out of the loop on this. And that would be a first. Like Gordon Edes, Alex Speier and Ian Brown, Rob is almost always on top of major developments like this.

I have no idea how it makes sense for Crawford to sign now -- before the Cliff Lee dust has settled, and before the LAA-NYY volleys begin in earnest. Then again, who the hell knows what's been said behind the scenes by those clubs.

Not just Rob, everyone is out of the loop on this. Edes latest from a Sox source says the market is too "crazy" for Crawford. Heyman just a little while ago said the Angels were pretty much the destination.

I trust Abraham, but this seems a little loony.

Edit: Oh well, nevermind, there's Rosenthal.

Edited by JBill, 08 December 2010 - 11:42 PM.

[JMDurron]

Rosenthal confirming it turns my blood a little cold.

In related news, the Yankees just signed every free agent reliever on the market who can throw left-handed, including a few who aren't free agents, and one who has never thrown left-handed before. Plus Cliff Lee.

I am stunned, I just can't make any sense of this as a standalone deal, or within the larger roster picture.

[Jed Zeppelin]

For that money I hope they can at least convince him to play RF next season.

[TheYellowDart5]

No, everybody's retweeting Abraham.

Rosenthal's tweet makes it sound like he has independent confirmation.

[Foulkey Reese]

No, everybody's retweeting Abraham.

Rosenthal confirmed it independently.

[cahlton]

No, everybody's retweeting Abraham.

This looks like independent confirmation to me:

Confirmed: #Red Sox in agreement with Crawford. 7 yrs/142M. First reported by Boston Globe. #Angels #MLB
1 minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

Edit: That's Rosenthal's tweet.

Edited by cahlton, 08 December 2010 - 11:43 PM.

[gammoseditor]

Why does anyone care if this is an overpay? The Red Sox have set themselves up really well by working home grown talent into the lineup. Was there somewhere else to spend the money that would have been better? I don't see it. This is great news and I can't wait for the season to start.

[P'tucket, rhymes with...]

Why would Ellsbury be the odd man out? Unless the Red Sox want to play Crawford out of position in CF, Ellsbury is here to stay.

If anyone, Mike Cameron should consider putting his place up for sale.

True--didn't really think it through before posting. Still insane, though. Don't like it a bit.

[TheYellowDart5]

Heyman has now joined the chorus saying that the deal is done, but with no source of his own.

[mabrowndog]

I am so confused right now.

[phragle]

I have to say I hate this, huge overpay.

[RedOctober3829]

Heyman confirms it too.

[Flynn4ever]

This makes some sense if they feel that Kalish, Reddick and/or Ellsbury can bring us some relief help, although this drives their value down. It's not my money, though, so I'm OK with it. He's another example of a hitter that Fenway might favor, but I agree that it hurts his value defensively. Could he move to right when Drew is gone?

[Laser Show]

For that money I hope they can at least convince him to play RF next season.

That was what I was just thinking.

I'm stunned.

[Mystic Merlin]

I cannot recall ever being so blindsided by a Sox signing/trade.

Lots to digest here.

[Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat]

That is a loony amount of money for another lefthanded bat who will be playing the easiest defensive position in Fenway's outfield and is heavily reliant on speed.

Ugh. They must really think absolutely zero of Kalish and Reddick, or even Ellsbury at this point.

Kalish is probably Drew's replacement. I think they like him just fine. Reddick--maybe not so much.

[Foulkey Reese]

Is there any doubt that Theo's standing in front of a mirror flexing right now?

[P'tucket, rhymes with...]

Why does anyone care if this is an overpay? The Red Sox have set themselves up really well by working home grown talent into the lineup. Was there somewhere else to spend the money that would have been better? I don't see it. This is great news and I can't wait for the season to start.

One, you should care if it's an overpay because unlike some clubs *coughMFYcough*, it will limit flexibility in making moves down the road.

Two, if you're going to throw an insane shitload of money at someone this offseason, his initials should be Cliff Lee.

[86spike]

Drew-Ellsbury-Crawford are going to get to a lot of fly balls.

So what are we thinking?

Pedroia
Crawford
Youks
Gonzalez
Ortiz
Drew
Lowrie
Salty
Ellsbury?

[bowiac]

This is pretty bizarre, and makes me wonder what the Red Sox know about player aging that we don't. Or more specifically, what they think they know?

Anyways - you have to imagine either Ellsbury or Cameron is leaving town now?