There are several ways to view the Yankees’ interest in Carl Crawford.
They are taking the Rangers’ efforts to keep Cliff Lee in Texas seriously and understand they might not land the prize of a very shallow free agent pitching pool despite offering him the most money.
The Yankees could be attempting to drive up the price on the Red Sox, who have targeted Crawford as their top off-season project. The Red Sox did just that to the Yankees by offering Mariano Rivera a three-year deal, according to SI.com, when it was the Yankees’ intent to give the 41-year-old closer a one-year pact.
Ditto for the Angels, who have serious interest in Crawford. The Angels were prepared to go to three years on Rivera, who is close to finalizing a two-year contract in the area of $30 million to remain with the only team he has ever pitched for.
According to an industry source, Crawford’s camp contacted the Tigers early in the process, and the Tigers are interested as well, as are the Rangers.
Whatever the motivation, the Yankees have talked to Crawford’s representatives.
“They are going to get into it,” a person close to the situation said of the Crawford chase. “A lot depends on what happens with Lee, if they get him or not. [Andy] Pettitte, too.”
According to several baseball executives whose teams aren’t involved, the 29-year-old Crawford could command a seven-year deal for $115 million.
After meeting with Lee in his Arkansas home this week, the Rangers got the impression the ace left-hander isn’t in a hurry to sign. Team president Nolan Ryan said the process might not be completed before Christmas.
Nevertheless, Lee and Crawford will be the focus of the Winter Meetings that open Monday in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
If Lee, whom the Yankees believe is seeking $140 million for five or six years, remains a Ranger and the Yankees use that money to sign Crawford, they still have serious problems to address at the top of the rotation.
Should Pettitte return, he would be considered a back-end hurler; the Yankees need is a No. 2 pitcher to slot between ace CC Sabathia and No. 3 starter Phil Hughes, who rocketed past A.J. Burnett last year by winning 18 games while Burnett experienced a nightmare second season in The Bronx.
Crawford, 29, batted .307 last year for the Rays and scored 110 runs, hit 18 homers, drove in 90 runs and swiped 47 bases in 57 attempts. The left fielder, who might be the fastest runner in baseball, is the premier free agent player on the market and made $10 million last year.
If Crawford lands in The Bronx, the Yankees would have to make a move with an outfielder. They could look to move center fielder Curtis Granderson or right fielder Nick Swisher. If Granderson were dealt, Brett Gardner would return to center. If Swisher were moved, Gardner or Crawford would replace him in right.
Granderson is owed $8.25 million next year, $10 million in 2012 and the Yankees hold an option for $13 million in 2013 with a $2 million buyout.
Swisher, who has been a very productive player in two regular seasons and struggled in the postseasons, will make $9 million this coming year. The Yankees have a $10.25 million option for 2012 with a $1 million buyout.
