C.C.: "I just couldn't imagine" being elsewhere

There have been no official talks, and may not be any for years as he is under Rays' control through 2010, but Carl Crawford made it clear Wednesday he would prefer to never leave the team.
"Most definitely, I would like to stay here with the Rays. This is the only organization I know. I don't know nothing different. It would be nice. I'm just taking it year-to-year right now,'' Crawford said. "I've always said that - I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good. You've been around for all the bad stuff you want to be around for the good part, too. And it looks like the good part is coming ahead, and you definitely want to be a part of that. So I hate to be out right when the team starts to win more games.'''
The Rays on Tuesday picked up Crawford's $8.25-million option for 2009, and hold a $10-million option for 2010, after which he can become a free agent. The Rays have recently signed Carlos Pena, James Shields and Dan Wheeler to long-term deals, and Crawford has noticed.
"I'm still a long ways away in my mind,'' he said. "I've got this year, next year and the year after that, they have another option. I honestly wasn't really thinking about an extension or nothing like that because in my mind it is so far away that I never really thought about it. But I just couldn't imagine seeing myself being anywhere else though.''
Crawford said he hadn't discussed the situation with his agents: "I'm just kind of waiting around, seeing what happens. ... My time will come, and I'm just going to try to wait until I get to that time.'' 
But if the Rays came to him? "Of course I'd want to listen,'' he said. "Everybody's getting extended these days it seems like. So I'd definitely listen.''

Manager Joe Maddon made his first lineup change, starting newcomer Nathan Haynes in rightfield tonight ahead of Eric Hinske, who homered in the opener but is 3-for-21 against Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera. He has Haynes hitting eighth, moving Dioner Navarro up a spot, on what will be a cold night.

The lineup, as the Rays seek to be 2-0 for just the second time in franchise history:
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Pena, 1b
Upton, cf
Floyd, dh
Aybar, 3b
Navarro, c
Haynes, rf
Bartlett, ss
Matt Garza makes his Rays debut on the mound.

Comments

[RayMan]

Oh, and by the way, I wish someone would make Huff choke on his big wad of gay bubblegum.

[RayMan]

Everyone forgot to mention that C.C. is pure class. We are very fortunate to have this guy on our roster.

[Andy]

I think you're being too hard on Garza. As you mentioned, Navarro made some questionable pitch selections. It was just one start, and its not like he was walking everyone. Plus, his fastball stayed up in the Mid-90's into the 6th. I think he can and will make a legit #3.

[The All Knowing]

one thing is for sure --- Reyes should not be a closer ... he should not be a set up man ... he should not be pitching in the major leagues --- PERIOD

he is washed up and one of the many signs of a team that still has a payroll that's waaaay below an acceptable

PS) Garza aint a #2 ... not so sure he's even ready to be a legit #3 ---
in all fairness, a veteran catcher would have handled him better last night --- the pitch selection was pathetic

HOPEFULLY that problem sorts its way out when Kaz comes back and one of the guys like Price or Niemann move up the ranks

[Bodog]

Sarasota / BE - Gomes appealled his supension and the suspension doesn't start until the New York series. I'm thinking Joe wanted the base runner since Cabera is slow to the plate hoping this Haynes guy could get on base - put more added presure on Cabera with base stealing.

[BE]

You're correct, Ralph. He did indeed get a two game suspension.

[Sarasota Ralph]

I'm not sure about this, but isn't Gomes suspended by the league for the first two games of the season because of the Yankees spring training incident? That would explain why he isn't in the lineup.

[steven]

I agree Gomes should be playing not Harris. I thought this guy was going to play just once in a while so i was ok, but 2nd game ?

[sam]

I meant to say that they want him to hit against left-handed pitchers.

[Sam]

Whats the deal with not Gomes not playing tonight, i understand they want him to play when we are facing righthanded pitchers but he isnt starting tonight behind Haynes. We all know how he is, if he doesnt get alot of playing time then he doesnt hit well and when he IS hitting well, he is quite an asset.