Carl Crawford to the Red Sox? – Brass Meets OF in Texas

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox, Rumors, Top Story ⋅ December 2, 2010 at 12:19am ⋅ Post a comment

If the reports are indicative of what’s to come, the Red Sox won’t be seeing Carl Crawford steal six bases against them in one game again. Red Sox brass and the free agent outfielder reportedly met on Wednesday at Crawford’s Houston, Texas home. Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown was the first to break the story via his Twitter account.

Brown also said late Wednesday night the Red Sox are set to meet with agent Scott Boras to discuss Adrian Beltre and Jayson Werth.

Analysis

As for Crawford, the Red Sox typically meet with top free agents in the week before the winter meetings, and it appears the Sox have a serious interest in the Tampa OF, and why not? He reached career highs last season with 19 home runs and 90 RBI while batting most of the year in the 3-hole, a spot he’d likely fill for the Red Sox with the loss of Victor Martinez.

Crawford would slot in to play left field for the Red Sox, while Jacoby Ellsbury (presumably healthy) would move back to center field and Mike Cameron would be the team’s fourth outfielder. J.D. Drew would man right field assuming the team doesn’t sign Werth.

Crawford, who had 47 stolen bases last year, could be part of Theo’s master plan, which may include trading for San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. The Red Sox could slide Kevin Youkilis to third base, sign Crawford and put him in left, and trade prospects for Gonzalez and put him at first. With that lineup and what should be an improving pitching staff, the Red Sox would be a serious contender to win it all in 2011 and beyond.

It’s an exciting time in baseball, and the heat’s on Theo Epstein to master the Hot Stove. Will he get his man?