LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Red Sox threw a curveball at the rest of major league baseball last night, agreeing to terms with All-Star left fielder Carl Crawford on a blockbuster seven-year contract worth $142 million.
The deal came to fruition late last night according to a major league source with direct knowledge of the negotiations. The deal will be complete upon Crawford taking a physical, which could come today.
Crawford’s contract language includes partial no-trade protection.
The Angels had been in pursuit of Crawford, the top position player on the free agent market, and offered him a seven-year, $108 million deal. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had dinner with Crawford and agent Brian Peters Tuesday night. The Rangers also were involved.
But the Red Sox acted quickly and decisively and just days after trading for Adrian Gonzalez, have added a second premier player. Crawford hit .307 with 19 home runs, 90 RBIs, and 47 stolen bases last season for the Tampa Bay Rays. The 29-year-old is a four-time All-Star and this year won his first Gold Glove.
Full story: Boston Red Sox – Sox sign up Crawford for $142m – The Boston Globe