Sources with Tampa Bay and the Sox said the sides had talked several times this offseason, not only checking out closer Bobby Jenks and his availability in a deal, but more specifically a trade that would have sent Carlos Quentin to the Rays for Carl Crawford.
Crawford has 1 more year on his deal. Quentin will be under Sox control for 4 more years.
Cowley also says the “The payroll will be in the low $90 million neighborhood when it’s all said and done.”
UPDATE: Ozzie’s says:
”To make that trade there is a lot of money involved. (Crawford) is making a lot of money. Personally, I don’t think we have enough money to cover that. Second, Carlos is younger and I think we can get Carlos to have more production than what he had this past year. Kenny hasn’t said anything to me, but … rumors are rumors, and that’s what the winter meetings are all about.”
I guess this depends on what the Sox think about Quentin’s health going forward. I lean towards agreeing with Ozzie! SoxNet’s take here.
