Admin Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 How’s this for a blockbuster? Left fielder Carl Crawford to the Miami Marlins for either shortstop Jose Reyes or third baseman Hanley Ramirez, with other pieces and significant cash involved. The Boston Red Sox are contacting teams to gauge their trade interest in Crawford, according to major-league sources. No trade appears close. Such a deal would be difficult to accomplish, given the size of Crawford’s contract and his lingering elbow problems. But the first lesson of the July 31 non-waiver deadline is that nothing is impossible. The Red Sox, sources said, reached out to both the Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers, though another source said that no discussions took place with the Dodgers. The Marlins, historically open to any possibility, would at least consider the concept, sources said. “There’s nothing going on with Carl,� Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said. “He’s our left fielder and we’re glad to have him back in our lineup.� Yet, while there are conflicting accounts about the nature of the Crawford talks, a trade could make sense for the Red Sox — if not now, then this offseason, assuming that Crawford plays well enough in the second half to restore his value. The Sox could try to move Crawford to a variety of clubs; his contract allows him to block trades to only two teams, and states that any club that acquires him cannot trade him to the New York Yankees. Crawford, who turns 31 on Aug. 5, is in the second year of a seven-year, $142 million deal. A trade with the Marlins for Reyes would be an almost equal swap of contracts. A deal for Ramirez, who is signed only through 2014, would require greater financial gymnastics. The Red Sox, though, currently face a surplus of outfielders — Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury, Cody Ross, Daniel Nava and Ryan Sweeney in the majors, Ryan Kalish and Scott Podsednik at Triple A, top prospect Jackie Bradley at Double A. A trade of one or more outfielders is almost certain before the deadline, and it might only involve a lesser player such as Sweeney. A deal involving Crawford obviously would carry far greater implications, for both the present and future. Crawford is owed $102.5 million after this season. Reyes, whom the Marlins signed as a free agent last December, is owed $96 million. Both he and Ramirez can be traded without restriction; the Marlins do not issue no-trade clauses. So, how would it all work? The following is speculation only: The Sox could include top shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias in a deal for Reyes and perhaps receive a starting pitcher as well — right-hander Anibal Sanchez, a potential free agent and former Red Sox prospect, would make sense. The Marlins, however, probably would prefer to trade Ramirez, whom they acquired with Sanchez in the seven-player Josh Beckett trade in November 2005. Some club officials are frustrated with Ramirez, who is batting .249 with a .763 OPS while on a 25-homer, 85-RBI pace. But Cherington is a longtime admirer of Ramirez, sources said, and the Sox could return him to shortstop, his original position. Short-term, the Marlins could take back shortstop Mike Aviles and play him at third, trade Carlos Lee to open first base for left fielder Logan Morrison and go with an outfield of Crawford, Emilio Bonifacio and Giancarlo Stanton, once Stanton returns from knee surgery. The Red Sox would need to include a ton of cash to account for the differences in Crawford's and Ramirez’s contracts; Ramirez is earning $15 million this season, $15.5 million next season and $16 million in ’14. If the Sox somehow could save money, all the better — they could redirect those funds toward a push to keep Ellsbury, who is a free agent after next season. Of course, there is a catch to all this. Any talks would be complicated by the possibility that Crawford could require Tommy John surgery to repair a sprained ulnar collateral nerve in his left elbow. Cherington said recently that surgery “is not something we’re looking at right now. A lot of position players play through UCL injuries without issue.� If Crawford had surgery, he would not miss as much a time as a starting pitcher — 12 to 18 months. Aviles made it back in eight months, undergoing the surgery on July 8, 2009, and returned to play the following spring. Crawford could follow a similar timetable for a team that acquired him, getting an elbow-ligament transplant immediately with the goal of being fully recovered by next spring. Or, he could continue playing with the injury, as Albert Pujols has done since 2003, and hope to avoid surgery. The upside is that Crawford could re-emerge as the player he was for Tampa Bay — and the player he has been the past two nights, going 4-for-7 with three stolen bases after missing the Red Sox’s first 89 games due to surgery on his left wrist, his elbow injury and a groin problem. It’s the deadline. Nothing is impossible. Every player has a price. http://msn.foxsports...-dodgers-071812 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmo Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 No thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishes on the Pond Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Well, something seemed to be going on with Beinfest last night. Beinfest was "unavailable" to come to the booth when he was scheduled to do last night. But I never heard another word why Admin couldn't be there. Anyone hear anything????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knglover Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I thought they said on the broadcast that he had family in town. I will say though that they werent very convincing with the excuse though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaft Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 No thanks. Crawford is another underachiever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted July 18, 2012 Author Share Posted July 18, 2012 The ‪#RedSox‬ and ‪#Marlins‬ discussing blockbuster: Carl Crawford and prospect to Miami for Hanley Ramirez and Heath Bell Bob Nightengale, USA Today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiamiFan95 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Don't do this please please please please please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knglover Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I honestly dont know how I feel about this one guys. I guess it depends on the prospect but even then. How do we make this trade without making another one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nico1270 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 "Sources:There is no current discussion involving Crawford and Hanley Ramirez/Heath Bell. Was brought up briefly as concept,immediately died." Buster Olney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmo Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 "Sources:There is no current discussion involving Crawford and Hanley Ramirez/Heath Bell. Was brought up briefly as concept,immediately died." Buster Olney. That's what I thought. Reporters grasping at straws again. We don't even know if Crawford will be healthy for the rest of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiamiFan95 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 "Sources:There is no current discussion involving Crawford and Hanley Ramirez/Heath Bell. Was brought up briefly as concept,immediately died." Buster Olney. Thank God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dom2613 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 So now Onley is reliable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnellders Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 It's so easy for reporters to hint at Hanley to Boston because there is some history there and so many people bite the rumours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokersgoon Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I would do that deal depending on the prospect. Also, bob nightengale is a legit source for rumors and possible trades. He called the pujols signing before anyone for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dim Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 That would've been an awful trade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyped89 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 We don't need an outfielder...especially not Crawford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canada-marlin24 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Uhh yea don't do that trade. I really hope Hanley gets hot and he returns to where he should be for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canada-marlin24 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Also sad how all of a sudden JJ is being discussed. Would've never imagine that 2 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlinscuba Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I don't get the people who say H2R has been a total disappointment...I mean, don't get me wrong, we all expect more from him but he's on pace to hit 25 HR's and knock in 90...not bad for anybody, especially coming off shoulder surgery... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiamiNative0722 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I don't get the people who say H2R has been a total disappointment...I mean, don't get me wrong, we all expect more from him but he's on pace to hit 25 HR's and knock in 90...not bad for anybody, especially coming off shoulder surgery... You cant be serious. This is supposed to be our superstar and hes batting .249. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poptart Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 carl crawford is AWFUL. this better be dead dead dead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Punisher Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I do NOT want Crawford!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Man Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I thought they said they would be open to discussing trades later this month if things don't turn around. But anyway, if we did get to that point I would think the Marlins would want a real good prospect along with Crawford if they were to trade Hanley. And I don't like the Reyes straight up deal simply because of the age thing. But a perfect scenario would be for them not to trade either one of these two for Crawford if they get to the point of being sellers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piazza31 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I hate Hanley almost as much as anybody; with his lazyiness and lack of ability to hit in with runners in scoring position all of a sudden- however Ramirez is worth more then a bloated contract right? Even with Bell included this is a crazy trade. I'd rather trade Hanley for Upton in a deal if anything, atleast Upton would come off the books the same year as Hanley I believe. Crawford is just--- over the hill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotcorner Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 they aren't taking on that ridiculous contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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