Carl Crawford, Red Sox Reportedly Reach 7-Year Deal

Filed under: Rays, Red Sox, AL East, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency, MLB Winter Meetings

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Boston Red Sox reportedly have agreed to a seven-year, $142 million contract with Carl Crawford, bookending the Winter Meetings with a pair of earth-shattering moves.

The Boston Globe first reported the Crawford deal, citing a major league source. It includes a partial no-trade clause and will become official when Crawford passes a physical Thursday or Friday in Boston.

Generally considered the top free agent position player available, Crawford will be a huge upgrade to a Red Sox lineup already bolstered significantly by Sunday's trade for first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

And the Red Sox didn't have to do much scouting to know what they were getting from Crawford; they've seen it firsthand from the other side during Crawford's nine seasons with Tampa Bay.

A four-time All-Star, Crawford is an all-around threat in the field and at the plate. He had a monster season in 2010 as he headed into free agency, hitting .307 with 30 doubles, 13 triples, 19 homers, 90 RBI and 47 stolen bases while also winning his first Gold Glove award.

Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/09/carl-crawford-red-sox-reportedly-reach-7-year-deal/

Charles Woodson Shaq Derek Jeter Kyle Busch Dario Franchitti