MLB Free Agent Rumors: The 10 Most Likely Destinations for Carl Crawford
The future location of free-agent outfielder Carl Crawford has been a hot topic this offseason and interest continues to grow in the star player since his contract ended with the Rays this past season.
Although many teams might not be able to afford his large contract requests (some say he is looking for $100 million), he could still be an early Christmas present for any team that bids the right price for him.
Many have reported that he won't sign until Cliff Lee—arguably the highest sought-after free agent this offseason—signs his contract. There are many teams that are ready to grab the talented left fielder right now.
10. Los Angeles Dodgers
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With journeyman Jay Gibbons penciled in as their '11 starter at left field, the Dodgers have more questions than answers at this position.
CC would add speed in left that Gibbons wouldn't be able to provide and also would be another bat in the Dodgers' lineup that NL pitchers would have to watch out for.
The Dodgers also have one of the higher payrolls in all of baseball and have acquired high-dollar left fielders in the recent past, such as Manny Ramirez.
9. Chicago White Sox
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White Sox left fielder Juan Pierre led the majors in stolen bases last season and is one of the fastest players in the game.
However, he doesn't provide the pop for the Chicago lineup that Crawford would likely help the White Sox out with.
GM Kenny Williams isn't known for signing many big name free agents, but this might be the place to start with someone like Crawford.
8. Boston Red Sox
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Projected '11 starting left fielder Jacoby Ellsbury was injured for most of the '10 season and the Red Sox might be thinking about moving him in the near future.
If they were to move the talented Ellsbury, it would likely come before a major acquisition at this position, which could be Carl Crawford.
Crawford is one of the most durable outfielders in the game of baseball and, if the Red Sox want someone who can make an immediate impact in all phases of the game, they should look no further than Crawford.
7. San Diego Padres
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The Padres are looking at starting veteran Ryan Ludwick in left field next season. With Crawford currently available, they could do much better than the aforementioned Ludwick.
A left-center combo of Crawford and Cameron Maybin/Tony Gwynn Jr. would be fun to watch for the future of the Padres organization.
It will be interesting to see if the Padres are finally ready to take it to the next level with a major free-agent signing of a player like Carl Crawford.
6. Chicago Cubs
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With Soriano's play on the decline, the Cubs could be looking to make a deal for the aging outfielder and find a way to get Crawford in a Cubs uniform.
Crawford would add a lot of offense to a weak Chicago offense and his speed at the top of the lineup would easily help the Cubs win a few more games.
The Cubs also have one of the biggest payrolls in the NL, but they would probably need to dump some players if they were going to go after Crawford.
5. Washington Nationals
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Josh Willingham looks to be the Nationals starter in left field for next season, but don't be surprised if they go after Crawford instead.
Willingham hit .268 with 15 homers last season, and he played well defensively as he only committed one error in 108 games in left field.
The Nats might be a long shot, but they are no stranger to handing out big deals to free agents, as they signed Adam Dunn to a large contract just two offseasons ago.
4. San Francisco Giants
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Mark DeRosa is currently listed as No. 1 on the Giants depth chart for left field, but it is likely that this will stay this way for the start of the '11 season.
The 35-year-old DeRosa was signed by the Giants during last offseason and only played a total of 26 games for San Francisco in 2010.
Acquiring Crawford would also give the Giants a strong chance to repeat as world champs again in 2011.
3. New York Yankees
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The Yankees seem to find themselves in just about every possible major free-agent signing and it is no different with Carl Crawford this year.
With incumbent Brett Gardner, the Yanks have a very gritty player who has some speed (47 stolen bases in '10) and is a solid defender. But Crawford is still a solid option because he has power that Gardner cannot contribute to a team.
New York has Gardner currently under contract and might not go after Crawford at all because it is satisfied with him, but no one would be surprised at all if the Yankees still end up nabbing Crawford in the end.
2. Toronto Blue Jays
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With Fred Lewis manning left field for much of the '10 season, Carl Crawford would be a huge help for a team that needs an everyday leadoff hitter.
The Jays do have some money to spend if they were willing to offer Crawford a large contract, but would he be worth it?
Also, it would give the Jays a leg up against their competitors in the always-tough AL East.
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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The Angels seem to be the top team for Crawford as he would be a massive upgrade over both Bobby Abreu and Juan Rivera.
He would also add more speed to an outfield that already includes the aging Torii Hunter as well.
Anaheim has some money to spend and with the power and speed that a guy like Crawford would provide, it would be likely worth the high-dollar contract to acquire him.
