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Rays need to work out contract extension for Crawford

The Associated Press

The Rays hold an option that with incentives could pay Carl Crawford $11.5 million next season ($4 million deferred).

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By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 16, 2009

Updated: 07/17/2009 12:25 am

You can argue that Carl Crawford is the soul of the Tampa Bay Rays. Evan Longoria might have more national star power and B.J. Upton might have more pure dynamic talent, but no player has meant more to this franchise, ever, than Carl Crawford.

He was always the reason for hope during the bleak days. He was the guy who got sympathy from other teams about being stuck in a horrible situation. Crawford never popped off, never tried to force his way out of town, and he was a stand-up guy during all those games and all those losses.

We offer this reminder for a couple of reasons. First, the second half of the baseball season resumes tonight for the Rays in Kansas City and Crawford has been simply outstanding from Opening Day right on through now. He was named MVP of the All-Star Game earlier this week, which reminds us of our second point.

The clock is running on Crawford's contract. Unless he and the Rays work out an extension after this season, next year could be the last on his deal - assuming the Rays pick up an option that could be worth $11.5 million in 2010.

Crawford hasn't made any noise about his contract, it should be pointed out. He has simply played at an extremely high level all year. Nor have the Rays dropped any hints of moving on without Crawford. That doesn't mean we can't get a little nervous, though.

This may just be my paranoia, but the next few months will be critical. I don't think the Rays want to take the chance of opening next season without a new deal for their left fielder. I think if Crawford reaches the open market, he'll get offers the Rays will find difficult to match, if not impossible.

Every time owner Stu Sternberg mentions how future payrolls could be affected unless the Rays get a new stadium, I think of Crawford. He'll be 28 years old next month, just entering his prime. We know how the usual suspects will be lining up with contracts that might be beyond the Rays' reach.

Plus, you have to understand how the Rays' organization is put together. For as much criticism as executive vice president Andrew Friedman has received over trading Edwin Jackson to Detroit for Matt Joyce - Jackson is an All-Star, Joyce is in Durham - it was designed to ensure the Rays had control of a young power bat who would be ready to truly contribute next season and beyond in right field.

So, we introduce Desmond Jennings, an immensely talented center fielder for the Rays' Double-A affiliate in Montgomery. His numbers this season parallel Crawford's, and after Jennings appeared in the Futures Game this week in St. Louis I read one comparison that said he had Crawford-like speed.

I'm not saying the Rays have a game plan in place to let Crawford walk in 2011 and replace him with a rookie. Managing payroll is a top priority for Friedman, though, and it won't be easy finding room to fit in a long-term deal for the kind of money we're talking about here.

If you've watched the Rays at all this year, you have seen a superior player at the top of his game. He is on pace to get more than 200 hits and steal more than 70 bases. He is hitting .309 with a career-best .367 on-base percentage, and this notorious free swinger is even on pace to set a personal record for walks. During Tuesday's All-Star Game in St. Louis, Crawford robbed Brad Hawpe's bid for a home run in the American League's 4-3 victory.

You think about that. Then you think about how Crawford was such an important part of the foundation of this franchise as it built from comedy to contender. I understand this isn't play money we're talking about, especially in this climate, and the revenue gap between the Rays and teams like the Yankees or Red Sox will force hard decisions.

Think about the catch Crawford made the other night, though. Think about the way he has played this season. Then think how he'd look in Yankee pinstripes.

Unimaginable? Hopefully so.

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