Let me preface what I’m about to say by saying I’d hate to see Carl Crawford go.
Having said that, I can at least make an argument for trading Carl Crawford during Spring Training. Why? Because this is going to get messy.
The hype is here. The Rays enter Spring Training with its most talented team ever. They’re all saying it. I tend to agree. So, here’s my problem. I am convinced that the Rays will not be able to re-sign CC. His price tag is going to be too high. He will be the prize of the off-season free agent class. The Yankees and the Red Sox will fall all over each other trying to bring him on board.
I would hate to see the Rays get only draft picks for Carl. The return that he could bring in a trade should be pretty high. So, when do you deal? If this is the most talented team in Rays history, they will be flirting with playoff contention on August 1. Trading CC at deadline if they are within sneezing distance of the playoffs would be a PR nightmare.
As I see it, the options are to trade him now or to settle for the draft picks that they will receive when he signs his mega-deal elsewhere. I would at least have to think about trading him now.
So, let’s consider. The Seattle Mariners would probably love to have him. Their off-season has been all about building a winner. How about the Anaheim Angels? They’re trying to hold off the Mariners. In the National League, let’s consider the Chicago Cubs. Or the New York Mets. What about the Houston Astros?
I’m sure there’s no shortage of teams that are checking in with Andrew Friedman regularly to see if he’s ready to make a deal. The Rays will be able to pick and choose among the best that another team has to offer.
So, the question is, how far do the Rays fall if they enter the season without CC? The answer to that question depends on what the Rays receive in return.
Desmond Jennings is a clear option for replacing Carl at some point. But, is he ready? There’s not much available on the free agent side. Garret Anderson’s still unsigned, but his time has past. You could take a flyer on Corey Patterson, but his 2009 season was disastrous. In trade, Seattle could probaby include Michael Saunders in a deal. The Mets could probably give up prospect Fernando Martinez. The Astros could make it easy by trading Hunter Pence. Or, the Rays could go with an outfield of Ben Zobrist, BJ Upton and Matt Joyce.
Like I said at the beginning, I’d hate to see Carl Crawford in a uniform other than the Rays’. But, getting only draft picks for him doesn’t appeal to me, especially when he should be coveted by just about everyone. Rays ownership has already said that the salary will be cut after this season. I say, either sign Carl Crawford now, or trade him. Before the season starts. It just won’t work as the season plays out.
February 24th, 2010 at 9:49 PM
Hey man, great insight, I will feature it in my “Daily Mashup” tomorrow on TampaBayRaysFan.com…but let me ask you this…where is Fernando Perez in this discussion? He is ALWAYS left out, but has a tremendous upside…
February 24th, 2010 at 10:08 PM
I guess I don’t see Fernando Perez as much more than a late-inning replacement. I just have a hard time seeing him as an everyday player in the big leagues. I could be wrong. I grew up watching Bobby Dernier play with the Cubs and bat ahead of Ryne Sandberg. Fernando Perez could be that player. I guess.
February 24th, 2010 at 10:26 PM
Terrific insight, I agree totally. Also better to have some control of where he goes.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:56 AM
[...] Rise of the Rays makes a case for trading Carl Crawford before the season starts. [Rise of the Rays] [...]
February 25th, 2010 at 11:41 AM
[...] (one of my personal favorite Rays blogs) makes a case for trading CC before the season starts. Read it here. Also, any time you need your “Rise Of The Rays” fix, check out the link at the top [...]
February 25th, 2010 at 1:24 PM
I am more for keeping him and see if they can contend. If they fall out then they could get a fair return. No matter who we trade him to though I think he still ends up a Yankee. They have not hidden their interest and he wants to be paid, who else could compete with them on money. Draft picks are not the end of the world. I think Pena needs resigning right now. Also, Mets have nothing the Rays want and they signed Bay. Rays need a good catching prospect. Giants won’t give up Posey for Carl alone.
February 25th, 2010 at 3:04 PM
i think trading him now is a bad idea. With the fan base not exactly where it should be combined with this year be touted as a “come back” for getting back to the playoffs…i think it is a mistake. CC leaves now attendance will drop. It will drop even more if he is traded now and the Rays don’t make the playoffs…new stadium? Not so much if the above scenario plays out.
I understand trading him now gives the Rays more control of where he goes (Hopefully out of the AL East). The trade would for sure have to be a 1 for 2-4 players. Even though we would not have his single high salary we would incur something with the other players traded in.
I see 2 Scenarios. 1.) he is kept for the season and they trade him after the season ends or he goes to free agency in which the two not-to-be-named teams in the northeast will inevitably grab him in a monster contract. NY is already setting themselves up for him with giving their new LF’er a 1 yr deal. 2.) We let Pena and Burrell go along with Hellickson in a trade for draft picks/money/prospect. This way we can cut the pay roll to keep Crawford. Hellickson is a good choice to go since our entire pitching staff is so young. Hellickson appears to have the stuff to be a #1 guy on another team outside the AL East.
I think the Rays would be killing themselves slowly with support from the fans if the trade CC before or during the season. Especially if they are in the run for the playoffs when the trade deadline approaches.
March 4th, 2010 at 2:12 PM
I’ll be darn Michael, I didn’t realized you grew up watching “the daily double”!!!
Time for me to get back into all things baseball, Finally.
March 4th, 2010 at 3:25 PM
Good to have you back Corncob. I’m with you, time to get back into baseball.