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Carl Crawford agreed to a seven-year, $142 million deal with the Boston Red Sox late last night. The signing gives Boston the premier offensive player on the free agent market and is a major blow to the rival New York Yankees, who were also anticipated to pursue Crawford.

The former Rays outfielder is one of baseball’s best young talents. In 2010, he hit a career-high 19 home runs to go along with a .307 batting average and 110 runs scored. He also stole 47 bases and won a Gold Glove.

He’s only 28-years-old despite having played nine professional seasons, and the Red Sox will have him manning the outfield in Fenway Park through his prime.

Boston has now acquired the best hitter available on the trade market, Adrian Gonzalez, and the best free agent hitter, Crawford, in a remarkable start to the offseason. But all accolades aside, what does this most recent move mean for the rest of Boston’s offseason and the remainder of the free agency period?

1. The Yankees now have no choice but to sign Cliff Lee, regardless of what he demands. They will have to overpay to do it, but they can’t risk ignoring the moves the Red Sox have made or they may be in danger of missing the playoffs next season. That’s actually good news for the Red Sox, who can look forward to the day in a few years when the Yankees are paying over a combined $60 million to Lee, C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, who will all be pitching in their mid-to-late 30’s.
2. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who were generally regarded as the favorites to sign Crawford, must now turn to the next best free agent hitter, Adrian Beltre. That’s bad news for the Red Sox because the Angels‘ first round draft pick (No. 14 overall) is protected, meaning Boston will only get the Angels second-round pick and a supplemental pick as compensation for losing the Type-A free agent.
3. Crawford’s signing increases the odds that the Red Sox will pursue another Type-A free agent, specifically reliever Scott Downs. There was little chance GM Theo Epstein would surrender a first-round draft pick for a reliever, but with Crawford in the fold a Downs signing would only cost a second-round draft pick.
4. Crawford’s signing also increases the odds that OF Jacoby Ellsbury is put back on the trade market. Terry Francona would be happy to keep Ellsbury, but it may not be necessary with Crawford, Mike Cameron, J.D. Drew and Ryan Kalish all expected to receive major playing time next season.
5. This move rules out any chance of the Red Sox going after Carlos Beltran or Magglio Ordonez, with much more pressing team needs than adding a sixth outfielder.
6. Crawford is the fifth lefty expected to be a regular in the Boston lineup, joining Adrian Gonzalez, Ellsbury, Drew and David Ortiz. That’s not a huge problem because all of those players, with the exceptions of Drew and Ortiz, can still hit left-handed pitching. But Epstein will definitely look to add another right-handed bat to make the team as balanced as possible. Maybe Russell Martin?
7. The Red Sox still have $10-15 million left to spend (assuming that they don’t sign an extension with Gonzalez until the beginning of the season). That’s enough to add a couple of bullpen arms and fill out the bench. But if Boston wants to go after Downs and a player like Rafael Soriano or Brian Fuentes, then they will need to clear some salary. One option is to trade Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is due $10 million in each of the next two seasons. There is a large enough trade market out there to move him, and the Red Sox could fill his spot in the rotation with one of Tim Wakefield, Felix Doubront, Michael Bowden, Junichi Tazawa or a free agent signing.

Finally, here’s a quick look at the major changes the Red Sox have made so far this offseason.

Lost

3B Adrian Beltre, C Victor Martinez, three top prospects (Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, Reymond Fuentes), first-round draft pick (No. 24)

Gained

1B Adrian Gonzalez, OF Carl Crawford, first-round draft pick (No. 19), two supplemental first-round draft picks, anticipated second-round draft pick for Beltre (top 50)

Not a bad trade-off, with a few more moves still expected. Stay tuned.

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Carl Crawford and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a seven year contract worth $142 million. The left fielder will be taking his talents to Boston after most rumors had him projected to land either with the New York Yankees or Los Angeles Angels.

The Red Sox were quiet on talks with Crawford, probably due to past experiences such as losing Mark Teixeira to the Yankees. In the end they prevailed and got what most consider to be the top outfielder on the market.

There will be plenty of debate on how the move affects the balance of power in the American League East, should baseball have a salary cap, how the Yankees can lose a bidding war and many other topics. However, at the end of the day, Boston was the best situation for Crawford.

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The Boston Red Sox have fired their second warning shot across the bow of the American League East by signing Carl Crawford to a seven-year deal valued at $142 million, according to multiple media outlets and first reported by the Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham.

The ink likely still wet on the trade sending Adrian Gonzalez to Boston, Theo Epstein and the Red Sox ownership group have dug deep into their pockets and managed to deliver Crawford the largest single payday in Boston since the signing of Manny Ramirez.

When the deal is finalized, the Red Sox will have committed themselves to roughly $300 million within a week’s span, and Epstein will have staked his legacy to the performances of these two superstars.

Always reluctant to sign players to such lengthy and lucrative contracts, Epstein has earned a sometimes wise, sometimes miserly reputation across baseball. Given that reluctance, Epstein certainly is setting himself up for close scrutiny. Whether these deals prove sagacious will write much of Epstein’s story as the boy-wonder GM.

Also, when the deal is finalized, Boston will have acquired perhaps the fastest, finest defensive outfielder in the game today. The 29-year-old Crawford put up a 21.2 UZR/150 in 2010 en route to winning his first Gold Glove award.

Combine that defensive prowess with roughly 54 stolen bases per season and an 851 OPS last year, and one can understand why the four-time All Star and 2010 Silver Slugger could electrify both the Red Sox franchise and the Fenway Faithful in every facet of the game.

For breaking Red Sox news updates, follow Peter on Twitter at BoSoxUpdate.

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The Red Sox suffered a plethora of injuries last season and missed the playoffs. Attendance slumped and advertising dollars dried up. Meanwhile, the Patriots are poised to make a run deep into the postseason, the Celtics added Shaquille O’Neal and appear ready to challenge the Lakers for the NBA crown and the Bruins look like a Stanley Cup contender. Some pundits started saying the Pats had surpassed the Sox in popularity and conjectured The Olde Towne Team’s sellout streak could be on the line.

And then New England Sports Ventures purchased an English soccer team and Red Sox Nation started getting restless. The Red Sox ownership knew they had to do something…and do something they did!

In the wake of acquiring first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres and then reaching an understanding with him on a seven-year, $154 million contract extension that (reportedly) will be finalized after Opening Day, the Red Sox have struck again! It’s being reported that the Red Sox have reached an agreement with the top position player in this year’s free-agent class, agreeing to a contract with outfielder Carl Crawford that will pay him $142 million over seven years—the 10th largest deal in big-league history.

The acquisitions of Gonzalez and Crawford, as well as the pending addition of one or two relievers, will undoubtedly make the Red Sox the prohibitive favorites in the AL East heading into the 2011 season—even if the Yankees land southpaw Cliff Lee.

Red Sox Nation will be in a frenzy! Talk about an early Christmas present…“Christmas At Fenway” will be a madhouse on Saturday!

Crawford, 29, is a four-time All-Star who hit .307 this year, setting career highs in home runs (19) and RBI (90). He also swiped 47 bases, led the AL in triples (13) and won his first Gold Glove. As recently as this afternoon, he had been rumored to be heading to Los Angeles to join close friend Torii Hunter in the Angels outfield. But that all changed late this afternoon and early this evening.

The Red Sox have simultaneously added an electric player while striking a serious blow to the offseason plans of the NY Yankees, who were rumored to be interested in signing pitcher Cliff Lee and Crawford. Red Sox Nation feared the Yankees might get both of their primary targets, but with Crawford coming to Boston and Lee weighing offers from both New York and the Texas Rangers; it now seems possible the Evil Empire will get neither.

Pinch me, I MUST BE DREAMING!

With this deal, Crawford becomes the highest-paid outfielder in baseball history…he will earn $16 million more over seven years than Jayson Werth, who signed a contract last week with the Washington Nationals. Crawford’s contract reportedly includes a partial no-trade protection.

He is generally considered the best defensive left fielder in the game and his ability to cover ground within the small spaces of Fenway Park was something the Red Sox prized as well. Last month, manager Terry Francona called Crawford a “game changer,” saying, “He’s that guy that can change a game defensively, offensively. When he gets on base, he gives you a headache.”

Somehow, I have a feeling Hank Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman have a SERIOUS migraine headache of their own right about now. Isn’t it delightful?

The Largest Contracts in MLB History

Alex Rodriguez, $275 million

Alex Rodriguez, $252 million

Derek Jeter, $189 million

Joe Mauer, $184 million

Mark Teixeira, $180 million

CC Sabathia, $161 million

Manny Ramirez, $160 million

Troy Tulowitzki, $157.75 million

Miguel Cabrera, $152.3 million

Carl Crawford, $142 million

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Just moments ago it was announced Theo Epstein pulled another fast one on Red Sox Nation by signing Carl Crawford to a seven year, $142 million deal.  The deal comes as a relative surprise since, even though the Red Sox loved what Crawford brings to the table, they already acquired the big time left handed bat (Adrian Gonzalez) and historically do not go on these Yankee-like spending sprees.  Regardless the Red Sox front office has responded to last seasons disappointing third place finish, much like the New York Yankees prior to the 2009 season, by making some franchise altering moves.

Prior to last weekend many in Red Sox fans were sensing doom and gloom, especially when it became known the Yankees could be going after Cliff Lee AND Carl Crawford.  However, after the trade for Adrian Gonzalez the fans’ appetite for off season drama was filled, at least for a day.  It seemed like mere minutes after Gonzalez press conference that everyone wanted to know what Theo Epstein had planned next.  Many were looking at the bullpen (including myself), a cheaper right handed leftfielder, such as Magglio Ordonez or Josh Willingham, but no one really expected this.  Carl Crawford signing was merely an awesome idea to many Red Sox fans, considering what his price would be after Jayson Werth literally was signed for twice his worth, but never the less, Theo Epstein delivered.  

Some may say this deal is not smart for a player whose game is predicated  on speed but the front office has proven it is willing to spend on a marquee free agent (John Lackey does not count) and stay competitive in an ever improving division.  Regardless of how Crawford and Gonzalez perform this season no one can say the Red Sox did not try to become a World Series contender for years to come.

However, let’s just assume Crawford and Gonzalez perform as they are expected to and imagine a lineup like this:

1. Ellsbury

2. Pedroia

3.Gonzalez

4. Youkilis

5. Crawford

6. Ortiz

7. Scutaro/Lowrie 

8. Saltalamacchia

9. Drew

That is a lineup with 105 wins written on it.  Obviously the pitching will have a lot to say about that any wins, but the point is it is an extremely potent lineup.  

Some may wonder as to why Crawford, known for his speed, is in a power slot like the fifth spot, but it seems fitting since he does not want to lead off, Pedroia is the number two hitter, period, and Gonzalez and Youkilis have more power.  Plus with Drew batting ninth, the Red Sox could have three lead off type hitters (Drew is considered a lead off hitter because of his on-base percentage abilities) in each third of the lineup.  

Does Carl Crawford signing instantly mean this team should be pre-ordering rings?  Absolutely not.  I still maintain the biggest key to this team’s success is the bullpen, specifically Jonathan Papelbon having a bounce back year, and if Josh Beckett and John Lackey gain regain at least a shadow of themselves.  Either way Theo Epstein and the Red Sox brass have provided the most anticipation for Opening Day since 2004. 

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And just like that, the power has shifted in the American League. According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, Carl Crawford has agreed to a seven year, $142 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. 

Just days after trading for first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Theo Epstein and company made the biggest splash of the Winter Meetings thus far by signing Crawford.

It was previously believed that Crawford would not make a move until Cliff Lee was signed.

In theory, Crawford may have hoped that if the Yankees could not acquire Lee, they would throw more money his way.

However, with a contract as lavish as this reported deal, it is understandable why Crawford would wait no longer. 

Now, the question looms: What does this mean to the rest of the American League? Are the Red Sox front-runners for a World Series run? 

Coupling Crawford with the newly-acquired Adrian Gonzalez, the Red Sox will boast one of the league’s best lineups. Crawford, who will play left field as he did in Tampa Bay, will likely lead off, followed by Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz. 

Jacoby Ellsbury will also be in the mix.

It is likely that with such a powerful lineup, Ellsbury will bat ninth, however, this makes the Red Sox that much more dangerous.

With the speed of both Crawford and Ellsbury, the Sox will boast two of the league’s best leadoff hitters as the lineup turns over each game. Both players have the ability to turn walks or singles into doubles with their speed. As a result, the Sox power hitters will have twice as many opportunities to knock in runners from scoring position. 

Another part of Crawford’s game that is often overlooked is his power. Last season, Crawford hit 19 home runs while driving in 90 runs. While he will not have as many opportunities to drive in runs in Boston, he will certainly benefit from the short porch in right field. 

The Red Sox will also return a strong starting rotation and bullpen in 2011.

While the pitching staff underachieved as a whole in 2010, if starter Josh Beckett and closer Jonathan Papelbon can bounce back, the Sox will also have one of the best staffs in baseball. Following stellar seasons from 26-year-old starters Clay Buccholz and Jon Lester, Boston has a rotation with the ability to shut down opponents on a nightly basis. 

With two blockbuster deals, the Red Sox have put themselves ahead of the pack in the American League. The New York Yankees, who were also in hot pursuit of Crawford, are undoubtedly concerned after seeing the Red Sox acquire two of the league’s best position players available. 

These deals put even more pressure on Yankees GM Brian Cashman to make a deal for Cliff Lee.

The Yankees pitching rotation was a disaster in 2010, as dismal seasons from starters A.J. Burnett and Javier Vazquez derailed the Yanks’ World Series hopes. The Yankees needed another top-end starter to compete in the American League prior to the Red Sox transactions. Following these mega-deals, the acquisition of Cliff Lee is more imminent than ever.

Howver, even if the Yankees are able to sign lefty Cliff Lee, this deal immediately puts the Yankees in a hole in the American League East. Carl Crawford was not the priority for the Yanks. While they would have loved to have him, he was essentially a backup plan if the team was unable to acquire Lee.

However, if there was one team in baseball the Yankees did not want to sign Carl Crawford, it was the Boston Red Sox.  

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Gold glove left fielder with five-tool ability?  Check.  Gold glove First Baseman who is also one of the five best bats in MLB?  Check.

Anything else?

Theo Epstein got to dream big at Disney, and he turned his dreams into a mighty fine reality.

Signing Carl Crawford and trading for Adrian Gonzalez has infused life into a Boston offense that it hasn’t seen since the Manny Ramirez hay day.  Have you honestly thought about this lineup?

1.  CF  Jacoby Ellsbury

2.  2B  Dustin Pedroia

3.  LF  Carl Crawford

4.  1B  Adrian Gonzalez

5.  3B  Kevin Youkilis

6.  DH  David Ortiz

7.  RF  J.D. Drew

8.   C   Jarod Saltamacchia

9.  SS  Marco Scutaro

Incredible.  Meet the new Boston Bombers.

And consider Crawford the happiest of them all.

It’s hard not to be smiling when you just signed the largest contract for an outfielder in MLB history.  Everyone knew the price went up when Jayson Werth signed his 10 figure deal.  And now Crawford is the newest 100 million dollar man.

But with big signings come big expectations.

Can Crawford handle the higher media and fan scrutiny after years of a relaxed atmosphere in Tampa Bay?  Will he be pressing out of the gate trying to prove he’s worth every bit of that 140 million dollar deal?  Will his defense be wasted in the short left field porch of Fenway?  Will Crawford and Gonzalez give that much more offense than what Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez provided?

There still are some questions left to be answered, namely the health of the rotation and a suspect bullpen.  But make no mistake:  No team has improved themselves as much as the Red Sox at this year’s winter meetings.

Now that Boston has stolen the headlines for the Winter Meetings, it’s time for the arms race to begin yet again.

Cliff Lee, I believe there is a Brian Cashman waiting to speak to you on line one?

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Just three days after completing the trade for Adrian Gonzalez, the Boston Red Sox have pulled off an even bigger stunner— agreeing to terms with 29-year-old outfielder Carl Crawford on a 7-year, $142 million mega-deal that is almost certain to propel the Sox into the front-runners to win it all in 2011.

The news broke just hours after multiple reports indicated Crawford was leaning toward signing with the Los Angeles Angels, which, until now, were considered the favorites to land the 4-time All-Star.

Crawford was regarded as the top position player available this winter, and news of his arrival in Boston is especially ominous to their American League East rival New York Yankees, who were also seriously targeting the star.

Crawford, a career .296 hitter with over 400 steals, 100 triples, and 100 homers, has been one of the most dynamic players in baseball over the better part of this decade. Debuting in 2002, he has spent his entire career with the Tampa Bay Rays, leading them to the World Series in 2008 and the AL East crown this past season.

He enjoyed arguably his most productive season in 2010, hitting .307 while setting career-highs in homers (19), RBI’s (90), and runs (110). He also added 47 stolen bases, 30 doubles, and 13 triples in 154 games.

Crawford’s signing arguably makes the Red Sox the best team in baseball on paper. Boston overcame an almost unprecedented wave of injuries in 2010— Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, and Kevin Youkilis among the key players who missed significant time— yet still managed to win 89 games. Considering that all those players will be back for opening day and the additions of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, Boston seems primed for another championship run.

Here’s their 2011 projected opening day lineup:

1 Jacoby Ellsbury – CF

2 Dustin Pedroia – 2B

3 Carl Crawford – LF

4 Adrian Gonzalez – 1B

5 Kevin Youkilis – 3B

6 David Ortiz – DH

7 J.D. Drew – RF

8 Jarrod Saltalamacchia – C

9 Marco Scutaro – SS

Not bad, huh? The Red Sox now possess the fiercest offense in baseball. This lineup has longevity, too— their one through four hitters will all be in their 20’s on opening day.

With a top-flight rotation that already features Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett and John Lackey, all that remains this offseason for Boston’s GM Theo Epstein is to shore up the middle of that bullpen. If that can be done, Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon will be handed plenty of leads late in the game.

What a cap to the 2010 Winter Meetings. Happy Holidays, Boston.

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The Boston Red Sox finished in third place in the American League East this past season. As their offseason moves suggest, they weren’t too happy about that. First, they trade for Adrian Gonzalez, one of the best power hitters in baseball, and, as of Wednesday, December 8th at 8:41 Pacific Time, then they signed one of the fastest players in baseball, Carl Crawford to a seven-year, $142 million deal. As a result, I’m on cloud nine and thousands of Red Sox fans back in Boston are beside themselves in a euphoric state.

Seven years and $142 million, more than $20 million annually for the 29-year-old Crawford. I thought he was going to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim or the New York Yankees. I knew Boston was in the running, but had no idea they were even discussing anything with him. I refresh mlbtraderumors.com religiously and check Twitter countless times and I didn’t even know the team had any conversations with his agent or met with him. Since the news broke some have written on the social networking site that they expected Boston to land him, but to many others and me, this news is surprising.

Crawford is now the highest-paid outfielder in baseball. He was given the ninth-biggest contract in the history of the sport. Whether he is currently worth the contract he received is irrelevant. This is Carl Crawford, who is a career .296 hitter and has averaged 185 hits and 51 stolen bases over eight seasons. He batted .309 with 19 homers, 90 RBI and 100 runs this past season with the Tampa Bay Rays.

He is the quintessential five-tool player. And pairing him with a healthy Jacoby Ellsbury atop the Red Sox order will be terrifying for opposing pitching.

“I don’t know another player who looks so much like myself. It’s crazy sometimes,” Crawford said of Ellsbury before the season. “I think he’s almost exactly like me. When I see him, I see myself.”

From 2008 to 2009, Ellsbury hit .290 and stole 120 bases. If he can return to his 2009 form in particular, when he swiped 70 bags, his speed combined with Crawford’s will be difficult to quell. They can indeed be mirror images of each other, which is a very intriguing thought.

Barring an unexpected trade or signing, Boston’s lineup will consist of this duo, former MVP Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz, J.D. Drew, Marco Scutaro and Jared Saltalamacchia. It’s safe to say their offense will be one of baseball’s most potent.

Crawford’s enormous deal combined with the deal Boston will probably give Gonzalez in the coming months makes them the new evil empire. I don’t approve of all the money in baseball, but the game is becoming more and more of business. Sadly, it’s something that has to be accepted.

The Red Sox knew they could afford Crawford so they gave him a deal they thought no team would match. This was the case with the Washington Nationals and Jayson Werth. Crawford’s contract is ridiculous, as is Werth’s, but overspending is the norm.

There is little doubt that Werth’s deal greatly influenced the Red Sox signing Crawford. The team had interest in Werth, so when he signed elsewhere for $126 million, Crawford’s price skyrocketed and they quickly turned to him as their top priority. But they put him atop their list in a quiet manner. A couple of days ago general manager Theo Epstein said Boston was looking to sign or acquire a right-handed bat who could play the corner outfield positions. He even hinted that the team might stick with what they have and focus solely on obtaining bullpen help.

Their move for Crawford caught most by surprise because there wasn’t even a hint of talks between the two parties leaked through sources to the press.

Gonzalez wasn’t enough of a splash. In wooing the speedster, Epstein has bolstered his team exponentially, and his offseason dealings are similar to New York’s successful 2008 winter of CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira. The Yankees spent $341 million on their duo. Boston, with Gonzalez reportedly close to agreeing to an eight-year, $164 million deal, has spent $296 million for theirs, upgrading an offense that was injury-riddled but still the American League’s second-best this past season.

Crawford’s signing couldn’t have come at a better time. The Yankees are in a three-team race for the services of 32-year-old left-handed starting pitcher Cliff Lee, the best arm on the free-agent market, with his former team, the Texas Rangers and the aforementioned Nationals. For New York, Crawford was second on their list behind Lee. Given this, Boston knew they wouldn’t break off talks with Lee to solely focus on acquiring offense they don’t necessarily need.

The Red Sox didn’t want to wait for Lee’s decision. They didn’t want him to sign with Texas or Washington and get into a bidding war for Crawford. Therefore, they signed him without even giving the Yankees an opportunity to make an offer. It was a brilliant tactical move. Now, unless Lee suddenly takes the Rangers six-year offer or goes to the Nationals, it is widely assumed New York will increase their six-year, $140 million proposal in an effort to blow him away and counter Boston’s move. It’s always a game of chess between these two rivals.

If New York signs Lee, that’s fine by me. Sure, he would greatly improve a shaky Yankee rotation, but Boston now exemplifies a team built to win a championship. Their offense will be deadly. Their defense will solid, with speed at all three outfield positions and defensive specialists throughout the infield. And their starting rotation is filled with talented youth and proven veterans. No American League team will be as feared as the Red Sox.

Bringing Crawford aboard supports this bold statement. He is a hitting machine, will steal a tremendous amount of bases and should crush his fair share of homers in compact Fenway Park. The investment is an astronomical one on Boston’s part, but it puts them in control of the American League East. With the offense their $142 million man will add to an already dangerous lineup, the sky is the limit for the aggressive Red Sox.

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The city of Boston must be ecstatic tonight with the announcement of the signing Carl Crawford

Crawford’s home has been Tropicana Field for the last nine seasons, as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2010, Crawford’s batting average was .307, with 30 doubles, 13 triples, 19 home-runs, 90 RBIs and 47 stolen bases.

Add that to the other new Red Sox, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, who’s 2010 average at the plate was .298, with 31 home-runs, and 101 RBIs.

It would be hard to find anyone who doesn’t agree that the Red Sox are by far the AL East, if not baseball’s favorite heading into 2011.

The pressure is on like Donkey Kong for the New York Yankees to sign Cliff Lee. Maybe the new regime is fine with not being able to compete for a season, but that is just not going to fly.

You cannot forget the major backlash coming from Yankee fans if Lee is not in the Bronx come April. Especially with the Red Sox taking Crawford, who the Yankees were interested makes it a slap in the face.

The Texas Rangers clearly want Lee too; going as far as asking Lee’s camp what it will take to sign the Southpaw.

Lee has expressed how much he loved the Rangers clubhouse and it’s location to Arkansas where Lee lives.

GM Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner now have another reason to sign Lee.

First, the team is in desperate need to add to the starting rotation.

Second reason is pretty simply, the Yankees need to save some face considering it’s the first year the Boss is not in the background.

The rumor is that in two days, Lee will announce were he is bringing his talents in 2011, and my gut feeling is it’s not going to be to the Bronx.

Hopefully, I am dead wrong but Lee has not hinted or even given an inkling of a favorite.

This is why I believe Lee is waiting to give the Rangers a chance to match the Yankees, so he has reason to stay.

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