Alex Rodriguez, Carl Crawford and Theo Epstein

Nary a misstep from Alex Rodriguez during his opening words of spring training. He stuck to his media gameplan from last year: Dull, and much discussion of "checking your ego at the door" - which, to his credit, he really did last year.

Can he actually keep up this act of both producing at an elite level and not being high-maintenance? I'm skeptical. But he's off to a good start.

--Carl Crawford's agent, Brian Peters, told Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times that Crawford and the Rays will table discussions about an extension until after the season. That development dramatically decreases the likelihood that Crawford will be a Ray next season - and, to localize the matter, significantly increases the chance that he'll be a Yankee.

For once the season ends, what incentive will Crawford have to not at least explore free agency? He'll be so close to the open market, at that point. And what chance do the Rays have of outbidding the Yankees?

The Yankees like Crawford, as we know. The interesting issue is, how much will the Yankees bid? Crawford is a really good player - young and athletic, strong defensively - but he is a corner player who is not elite on the offensive side.

Are we talking Chone Figgins money? Probably more, but how much more? 

Meanwhile, if the Rays somehow fall out of the pennant race, which I think is unlikely, Crawford would be a very attractive commodity on the trade market.

How did I learn of this Crawford news? Twitter.

--NaOH alerted me to the text of this Theo Epstein interview. Good, informative stuff, not only about the Red Sox's personnel but also about statistical analysis.

--Major League Baseball is holding its annual Bat Girl Contest, to help fight breast cancer.

---Driving from Tampa to Port St. Lucie tonight, to spend some time with the Mets.