Red Sox-Marlins Blockbuster?
He's fresh off the disabled list, so, naturally, it's time to trade Carl Crawford, right? That may be the line of thinking for the Boston Red Sox, a team on the brink of contention, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.
We discussed earlier Wednesday the idea that the Sox were eyeing Miami's Hanley Ramirez and Rosenthal suggests perhaps a swap of Crawford with some cash and other pieces being plausible.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that such a trade was actually proposed by the Red Sox to the Marlins and include right-handed reliever Heath Bell. Nightengale quotes Red Sox's GM Ben Cherington saying "we have not offered Carl to a single team."
ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney tweets Wednesday afternoon, however, that the subject of such a deal was broached as a concept but immediately died and there are no ongoing discussions.
The Dodgers might be another club with interest in Crawford, who is owed just over $110 million over the next five-plus seasons.
The Nationals are another possibility, simply considering they need outfield help, have money and may have a piece or two the Sox would like to have in return.
Boston, however, may have to take back a contract or two or even send along cash, as Rosenthal noted, to get a deal done. The idea may grow more legs over the winter after Crawford has played some games, so we'll keep an eye on this.