by Hans on April 29, 2009
On June 9th, hundreds of amateurs will direct their attention to the broadcast from Studio 42 in Secaucus, New Jersey. Led by San Diego State phenom Stephen Strasburg, these eager youths will be anticipating their chance at a professional baseball career as Major League Baseball hosts the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.
On July 26th, hundreds of retired professionals will direct their attention to the hallowed baseball sanctuary in Cooperstown, New York. With all eyes on 8 time All Star Jim Rice, these proud, accomplished veterans will be reflecting on long and storied professional baseball careers as The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum welcomes another member to its team.
2009 All Star Game
On July 14th, however, it will be millions of passionate fans who make the difference. For the first time in over 40 years, the Midsummer Classic comes back to St. Louis. And until May 22nd, the fans are the ones to decide who gets to go.
Visit MLB’s website to vote early and often. Will St. Louis Cardinal great and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols get the 1B start in his home ballpark? Will the 3rd and 10th overall picks in the 2006 Draft, Evan Longoria and Tim Lincecum, be named to their 2nd All Star games? Remember, it was the fans who voted Longoria in over Jermaine Dye with last year’s AL “Final Fan Vote”.
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by Hans on April 26, 2009
In his recent article on FanGraphs, David Cameron suggests that Tampa Bay should consider trading Carl Crawford later this season. I love his work, but here I will have to respectfully disagree.
The argument for trading Crawford has significant merit. Cot’s Baseball Contracts, a fantastic website itself, shows that Crawford is due $8.25 million this year with a 2010 team option for $10 million with a $1.25 buyout. With the Rays’ payroll having jumped from $43 million in 2008 to $63 million in 2009 and youngsters like B.J. Upton and Matt Garza still without long term contracts, the team certainly has the need to be more cost conscious heading into 2010 and beyond.
In addition, should Matt Holliday’s tenure in Oakland show the ugly side of playing outside Coors Field and Jason Bay’s tenure in Boston show enough value to get him resigned, Crawford’s availability and modest price tag would make him extremely attractive. Tampa Bay would have a chance to further stock an already loaded minor league system. What would Kenny Williams offer to bring Crawford in to play centerfield for the White Sox?
But the Rays have an opportunity to win now. The AL Championship team from last year’s World Series added Pat Burrell and got another year of development from young studs David Price, Evan Longoria, Upton, and Garza. They’re clearly in win now mode and having the superb defense, top of the lineup speed/power combo, and leadership that Crawford offers would go a long way.
Moreover, the Rays are attempting to solidify their fan base in the Tampa Bay / St. Petersburg area while garnering support for a replacement for Tropicana Field. Rays management has been pushing for Rays Ballpark and a big part of making that a reality is getting the support of your fanbase.
Crawford’s been a career (Devil) Ray. He’s beloved by fans. And although Price and Longoria look to be focal points going forward, Crawford’s been the only “franchise player” Tampa Bay has known to date. Trading Crawford would be, as one Ray fan commented on FanGraphs, “A knife to my gut.”
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