Sox sign Crawford 7 years 142 mill

[Mike-Dub]

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/2161870/report-red-sox-ink-crawford-7-year-deal

According to the multiple reports, the Red Sox and free agent outfielder Carl Crawford have agreed to a seven-year, $142 million deal. The contract surpasses that of Jayson Werth, who on Sunday took a seven-year pact worth $126 million from the Nationals.

 

The 29-year-old Crawford was widely considered the top position player in free agency and had reportedly drawn interest from the Angels and Yankees, among others. Crawford is the second major addition in the last week, as the Sox acquired slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez in a trade with the Padres on Sunday.

 

In nine seasons with the Rays, Crawford hit .296/.337/.444 with 409 stolen bases and 765 runs.

[Donoghus]

Wow.   

I didn't really think they'd pull this off.  Great for the Sox. 

Wow.

[greenpride32]

Well at least JD will no longer hold the title of most overpaid on the team.  Crawford is good, but not that good.  I guess it's just a matter of being best avaiable at the time Since Wyrth and Tulo are getting overpaid as well.  This contract will look very bad by the 4th year if not sooner.

[Donoghus]

Well at least JD will no longer hold the title of most overpaid on the team.  Crawford is good, but not that good.  I guess it's just a matter of being best avaiable at the time Since Wyrth and Tulo are getting overpaid as well.  This contract will look very bad by the 4th year if not sooner.

I agree that the contract is a bit ridiculous but when compared to what Werth just got paid, this one is much easier to swallow.   

The Drew deal never really sank the Sox. This won't either.

With this lineup and if the starting pitching plays up to snuff, the Sox will be a very potent team.

[bucknersrevenge]

I can't even state enough how huge this is. This is now an incredibly athletic lineup with tremendous gap to gap extra base hit power. We are gonna create a lot of runs with our legs. This is now the most athletic RedSox team they've ever had. I never thought they'd pull this trigger. But it seems the front office finally figured it out. You are going to have to spend money if you want to win and we need to quit pretending we don't have the money to spend.

[Bahku]

Absurd contract, but man, I already can't wait for the season to start ... this is gonna be absolutely awesome!!!

[Q_FBE]

I keep hoping that we trade Josh Beckett, Dice-K, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Jonathon Pabelbon to Seattle for Felix Hernandez and then we sign Cliff Lee as a Free Agent.

I like Felix, Cliff, Jon Lestah, Lackey, and Buckholz as our five starters. Daniel Bard can be our closer.

Plus we added Adrian Gonzolas and Crawford to our line up.

[Change]

$ 142 million to hit balls 3-5 AB a game. What a life.

[raynman]

I can't believe baseball players get this much money when all they do is chew gum most of the time... while basketball players jump and run all the time..

anyways, i hope we can strengthen the bullpen (CLIFF LEE!!!), then we'll be in the running for another championship!

Can you imagine Boston having champions for at least two major sports league (i haven't watched the pats and bruins that much) in 2011? that would be awesome!

[MBz]

Guys we do not need Cliff Lee and I hope we do not get him.  I really hope he stays in Texas.  It would be much better for baseball if he doesn't come to Boston or New York.  We also have bigger needs than starting pitching.  Right now, the Red Sox need to focus on getting another catcher and bullpen help.  Right now, they should be looking at Grant Balfour, Scott Downs, Brian Fuentes.  As far as the catcher spot, I would be surprised if they do anything to upgrade there though Miguel Olivio would not be a bad option.  He doesn't hit for average, but he has some power and a good throwing arm.

[Cman]

I think this is a good signing.  The price seems high, but the Sox are able to do it because  they were pinching pennies (comparably speaking) in prior off seasons.  I think it also means the Sox are out of the Cliff Lee sweepstakes.

[jambr380]

I guess the contract is a little high, but Crawford isn't Juan Pierre guys. I thought he would get at least this much, especially after seeing what Werth got. For the next several years, we really have a GREAT team and I am very excited (as I am sure everybody is) to see what they can do in the playoffs.

[Fan from VT]

In my opinion, this is a much better signing than Werth's. Same length, younger, better hitter, much better fielder, more consistent despite being younger, and better injury history. For the Sox, tha

Considering the quite unimpressive FA pool next year, this lets the Sox sleep better about Ellsbury, Cameron, and Drew's uncertain futures and let's them be less dependent on Kalish's development timeline

For the Sox, that's worth the ~2 million a year it cost to sign the bet FA position player over the 2nd best, which is much more likely to fail.

[Jeff]

I hope the Angels decide to spend their money that would have gone to Crawford on Lee just so the Yankees don't get him.

what a lineup - we could be slotting JD Drew 7th for crying out loud

just hope Beckett bounces back

[Rondo2287]

Great move for the Sox. Probably overpaid for him, but he was the best available at a position of need, a great defensive player and very hard worker from all accounts.

Im expecting the Yankees will sign Lee now though because of the need to keep up with the sox.  Which is a nice change of pace!