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Rays pick up 2010 option on Crawford

AP file photo

Crawford led the Rays in stolen bases with 60 while batting .305.

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By TONY FABRIZIO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2009

Updated: 11/09/2009 11:32 pm

To the surprise of no one, the Rays on Monday exercised their $10 million option on All-Star left fielder Carl Crawford's contract for 2010.

Now comes the hard part. Can the club lock up its most tenured and decorated player before he begins a season after which he could become a highly sought free agent?

"Carl's a big part of what we have accomplished and what we will accomplish," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said Monday. "Obviously, the question everyone wants to know is, what does the future mean? I don't think anyone can answer that.

"Both sides are very interested, which is a great starting point. ... It's safe to assume that at some point, we will have conversations about possibly extending the contract even further."

The Rays also declined $2 million options on catcher Gregg Zaun and left-handed reliever Brian Shouse, but Friedman didn't rule out either returning. He said it's too early in the offseason to commit.

In addition, the Rays claimed right-handed reliever Ramon Ramirez from the Reds on waivers. Ramirez, 27, was 0-0 with a 3.65 ERA in 11 appearances for Cincinnati last season.

Crawford, 28, is the Rays' career leader in hits, runs, stolen bases, triples and RBIs. He's a three-time All-Star whom Manager Joe Maddon has called "the face of the franchise for years."

Much more than an exceptional athlete, Crawford showed his commitment to the game again this past season when he rebounded from hamstring difficulties in 2008 with a rigorous offseason workout program to set a club record with 60 stolen bases.

He also hit .305 with 15 home runs, 68 RBIs and 96 runs scored, and he was named MVP of the All-Star Game after he robbed Colorado's Brad Hawpe of a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning.

Unavailable for comment Monday, Crawford said in late September he wants to remain with Tampa Bay and anticipated talks about a long-term deal this winter. He said he wanted any negotiating to take place before the 2010 season starts.

Friedman said the Rays also prefer to avoid contract negotiations during the season.

Shouse, 41, appeared in 45 games for the Rays in 2009, going 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA as a lefty specialist. Zaun, 38, was acquired in a trade with the Orioles on Aug. 7 and won the admiration of Maddon.

In 30 games with the Rays, he batted .287 with four home runs and 14 RBIs, and he hit .302 against right-handed pitching.

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