Free agent outfielder Carl Crawford has drawn heavy interest from a few teams, like the Angels and Red Sox, but may wait to sign until Cliff Lee is off the market so as to give the Rangers or Yankees an opportunity to get involved. That’s one reason the Crawford sweepstakes may move slowly. Another reason? Crawford wants a really big contract.
Free Agent Carl Crawford Seeking Eight-Year Contract
According to the Boston Herald’s Michael Silverman, the 29-year-old Crawford is looking to sign an eight-year contract that would lock him up at big money through 2018. Whether he gets that contract, of course, remains to be seen, but in an offseason that’s already seen teams throwing a lot of money around and Troy Tulowitzki get signed through 2020, it isn’t an impossible dream. Crawford’s an athletic outfielder in the prime of his career, and he’s going to want a lot of security.
The Angels and Red Sox are Crawford’s two top suitors, and Torii Hunter’s already been busy recruiting the speedy outfielder. It is worth noting that this Red Sox ownership group has never given out a bigger contract to a position player than the five-year, $70 million deal they gave to J.D. Drew, although they did offer eight years to Mark Teixeira before he signed with the Yankees.
Stay tuned, as Crawford looks to sign the longest contract of the winter.
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