Sox sign Crawford 7 years 142 mill

[footey]

As a fan, I care less about what we had to pay to get him, and rejoice the fact that we signed him.  A player's worth, especially that of a free agent, is dictated by the market place. The Sox paid him the going rate for his skills, given the recent signings of less talented players.

[bucknersrevenge]

I disagree that Crawford has 4-5 years of "prime" years left.  I would say 1-2 max.  Crawford type players decline quickly when they hit 30 and I believe he's 29.  He got paid like he's a perennial MVP candidate and he's not.  He's not even a consistent all star player (3 time AS in his career).

Wait...what?? His prime is 2 years?? That is patently ridiculous. Rickey hit and ran well late into his career. As did Robby Alomar. He's in excellent shape and going to a great hitters ballpark to hit directly in front of Adrian Gonzales and Kevin Youkilis. This sounds like wishful thinking from a non-RedSox fan.

[LB3533]

IMO, only power hitters and run producers deserve the big bucks.

Top of the order guys are not worth 20 million per year.

[Rondo2287]

Well he did have 90 RBI's last year which would have been good for what? 3rd on the team last year?

[MBz]

Well he did have 90 RBI's last year which would have been good for what? 3rd on the team last year?

Right.  He also should be hitting im guessing 6th this year.  Ellsbury, Pedroia, Gonzalez, Youkilis, Ortiz, Crawford, Salty, Drew, Scutaro? Lot of lefties in the line up to deal with and to keep separated.

[Fafnir]

IMO, only power hitters and run producers deserve the big bucks.

Top of the order guys are not worth 20 million per year.

Depends on how your team is constructed, do you have the power at other positions locked up? Can your team's budget absorb the contract in the latter half of the deal?

Most long term deals for 15+ million per year end up looking bad at the end of them. Is your team set up to contend in the first three years of  the deal?

[Rondo2287]

IMO, only power hitters and run producers deserve the big bucks.

Top of the order guys are not worth 20 million per year.

Depends on how your team is constructed, do you have the power at other positions locked up? Can your team's budget absorb the contract in the latter half of the deal?

Most long term deals for 15+ million per year end up looking bad at the end of them. Is your team set up to contend in the first three years of  the deal?

I would answer yes to all of these

[MBz]

As much as I love the two acquisitions.  I'm still worried about the team in the immediate future. We scored plenty of runs but we had some major pitching issues.  Lester seems to always start very slow, if Buchholz is the only guy pitching well in April and we fall behind again we could have issues.  We are really going to need Beckett and Lackey to have ERAs under 4 for this team to be in serious contention.  Also right now, our bullpen is bad.  We have Bard, Papelbon and Dubront.  Other than that I am not comfortable with anyone else really.  Hopefully Lowrie is healthy and can continue what he did last year.  If he does we could see him pushing Scutaro for the starting spot at short stop. 

[Roy H.]

Are the Crawford detractors really expecting his prime to expire at age 30 - 31?  What is that based upon?

[xmuscularghandix]

Are the Crawford detractors really expecting his prime to expire at age 30 - 31?  What is that based upon?

People are trying to say that all his skill is in his legs. They’re completely overlooking the fact that he’s become a better hitter almost every year of his career.

Wouldn’t be surprised if he hit .310 with 25 HRs and 80-90 RBIs. Along with a Gold Glove.

[Roy H.]

Are the Crawford detractors really expecting his prime to expire at age 30 - 31?  What is that based upon?

People are trying to say that all his skill is in his legs. They’re completely overlooking the fact that he’s become a better hitter almost every year of his career.

Wouldn’t be surprised if he hit .310 with 25 HRs and 80-90 RBIs. Along with a Gold Glove.

Even if it was all in his legs (and I agree it isn't) what elite, all-star level speedsters have had a sudden drop off at age 31?  Ichiro is a great counter-example to the theory that Crawford's skills will diminish dramatically.

[KG Living Legend]

As a fan, I care less about what we had to pay to get him, and rejoice the fact that we signed him.  A player's worth, especially that of a free agent, is dictated by the market place. The Sox paid him the going rate for his skills, given the recent signings of less talented players.

   Well said. Fans stop caring so much about the money. It's not your money.

 It's better for the city and the suburbs that surround the city for the Sox to be an Elite team.

 We are now. Lets just hope we  have four starters, or at least three that show up big this year.

 Sox are back in business now.  Lord knows I did't give a [dang] about them last year with that b minus lineup.

 Now if healthy, we have the fastest outfield in the game.

 Two of the most ridiculously fast base stealers and run scorers around.

 The thump we desperately needed in Adria.

 So put a core together of Carl and Adrian.

 And role players like Old Papi, Youk, Dustin, J.D., Marco, and can I stay healthy Ellsbury.

 Now where talking.
 

[kozlodoev]

IMO, only power hitters and run producers deserve the big bucks.

Top of the order guys are not worth 20 million per year.

The Red Sox scoring ability suffered tremendously when they didn't have Ellsbury last season. Guys like Jacoby (and Crawford) can score so much easier, since you don't necessarily have to move them along after they get on base. It's one thing to need three singles to get someone from first to home, and it's completely different when he can score with 1 stolen base and a random double.

At least these are my impressions. I am not terribly baseball-savvy.

[nickagneta]

Well he did have 90 RBI's last year which would have been good for what? 3rd on the team last year?

Right.  He also should be hitting im guessing 6th this year.  Ellsbury, Pedroia, Gonzalez, Youkilis, Ortiz, Crawford, Salty, Drew, Scutaro? Lot of lefties in the line up to deal with and to keep separated.

No way the Sox pay Crawford $22 million a year and hit him 6th. He'll lead off.

Against righties

Crawford  Lefty
Pedroia   Righty
Gonzalez  Lefty
Youkilis  Righty
Ortiz     Lefty
Drew      Lefty
Saltalamacchia/Catcher Switch
Scutaro   Righty
Ellsbury  Lefty


Against lefties

Crawford  Lefty
Pedroia   Righty
Gonzalez  Lefty
Youkilis  Righty
Ortiz     Lefty
Cameron   Righty
Drew      Lefty
Scutaro   Righty
Saltalamacchia/Catcher Switch

[Chris]

Well he did have 90 RBI's last year which would have been good for what? 3rd on the team last year?

Right.  He also should be hitting im guessing 6th this year.  Ellsbury, Pedroia, Gonzalez, Youkilis, Ortiz, Crawford, Salty, Drew, Scutaro? Lot of lefties in the line up to deal with and to keep separated.

No way the Sox pay Crawford $22 million a year and hit him 6th. He'll lead off.

Against righties

Crawford  Lefty
Pedroia   Righty
Gonzalez  Lefty
Youkilis  Righty
Ortiz     Lefty
Drew      Lefty
Saltalamacchia/Catcher Switch
Scutaro   Righty
Ellsbury  Lefty


Against lefties

Crawford  Lefty
Pedroia   Righty
Gonzalez  Lefty
Youkilis  Righty
Ortiz     Lefty
Cameron   Righty
Drew      Lefty
Scutaro   Righty
Saltalamacchia/Catcher Switch

Crawford isn't a leadoff hitter.  I don't think he likes to do it, and frankly, his power makes him a bit of a waste down there.

My guess is he will hit 2nd, 3rd, or 5th.  I think he will hit second if Ellsbury is not playing well enough to lead off (Pedroia would lead off), otherwise, he will hit either 3rd or 5th. 

I also think spots 6-9 will vary from game to game depending on whether they are facing lefties or righties, with Ortiz and Drew moving down the lineup (or being replaced) against lefties.