Carl Crawford watch

Free agent to be Carl Crawford had four hits for the Rays in a 14-5 blowout at Fenway last night. Crawford is hiting .307 with 15 home runs and 75 runs batted in.  He has 42 stolen bases.

Compare that to Curtis Granderson, who is at .247 with 17 homers, 48 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Granderson has his hot moments, but he is not in Crawford's class. There is almost  no chance the Rays come up with the money to retain Crawford and the Yankees will swoop in. 

The Yankees would pay Granderson $8.25 million in 2011. Crawford could cost  roughly double, but his production is worth it.

The Yankees could afford to have Crawford and Granderson, but why not have speedy (and much less expensive)  Brett Gardner in the lineup with Crawford.  If Gardner bunts more to get on base, there's a potential of 100 stolen bases between the two.