Report: Tigers 'deeply interested' in Rays OF Carl Crawford

Last Updated: October 27. 2010 2:27PM
Report: Tigers 'deeply interested' in Rays OF Carl Crawford
Tom Gage / The Detroit News

Detroit— It's Texas vs. San Francisco on the field at the World Series, but off the field the Tigers are dominating free-agent speculation.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Tigers are "deeply interested" in outfielder Carl Crawford, who'll become a free agent after the conclusion of the Series.

In fact, Crawford could be the premier free agent of this year's class.

It's been thought that the cost of signing him would be too high for the Tigers, but that might not be the case — what with $60 million coming off their books, plus additional savings on Brandon Inge's two-year contract, as well as the contract to which shortstop Jhonny Peralta could agree.

Adam Dunn has been mentioned frequently as the Tigers' primary target, but several reports this week indicate that he's more likely to sign as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs.

Crawford, 29, has been a huge talent for the Tampa Bay Rays, who can no longer afford him. He made $10 million this season, but is expected to land a contract of more than five years as a free agent — and for more than $15 million per season.
He hit .307 this season with 19 home runs and 90 RBI. But he's also fast. Crawford has averaged 54 stolen bases for every 162 games of his career.

What doesn't fit with this speculation is that the Tigers have made it clear that signing a "middle of the lineup" hitter is their priority. Most of Crawford's at-bats this season came in the second spot of the Rays' lineup.

Second is where he has the most at-bats in his career, in fact.

The only lineup spot where he's not had any of his 5,383 plate appearances is fifth — which is also the spot, hitting behind Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers most likely would want to fill.


From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20101027/SPORTS0104/10270420/Report--Tigers-‘deeply-interested’-in-Rays-OF-Carl-Crawford#ixzz13b7XBMSu