B.J. Upton Avoids Arbitration, Gets a Raise

The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to give B.J. Upton a $4.825 million contract, avoiding arbitration and keeping the center fielder around for one more season.

Losing his arbitration hearing in 2009, the tall and slender 26-year-old was awarded $3 million rather than his request for $3.3 million so the Rays wouldn't break the bank.

He and Carl Crawford then became the first teammates in big league history to surpass 60 extra-base hits and 40 steals in the same season. Upton is also the only player in baseball with at least 100 doubles and 100 steals since 2008.

Don't let those numbers fool you, though. Upton hit 18 homers and drove in only 62 runs over 154 games last year, striking out 164 times while batting just .234... which allotted him a $1.8 million raise. However, he did nail 38 doubles and steal 42 bases in 51 attempts for the American League East champions.

Either way, he'll have the glory all to himself now, as Crawford hit the road last month for greener pastures: a $142 million, seven-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.

[Tampa Tribune on Twitter]

Boston Red Sox Dish $142 Million for Carl Crawford

Carl Crawford has officially signed the richest contract of any outfielder in the history of the game.

The All-Star left fielder and the Boston Red Sox reached a preliminary agreement late Wednesday night on a $142 million, seven-year contract, which is subject to a physical, of course. The average annual value of the deal -- $20,285,714 -- is the seventh highest among current players and 10th-largest in baseball history.

American League Keeps On Rolling

The American League's MVP hero of Tuesday night's All-Star game was Carl Crawford. The Tampa Bay Rays outfielder robbed a home run from Brad Hawpe in the seventh inning, a shot off Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon that would've broken the 3-3 tie.

During the very next inning, Detroit Tigers centerfielder Curtis Granderson tripled and scored the go-ahead run to give the AL a 4-3 victory. Make that seven straight games since 2002’s 7-7, 11-inning tie at Miller Park and a 12-0-1 mark since the National League's last win in 1996.

So which AL team will have home field advantage in this year's World Series?

[AP] | [Best Seat in my House] | [No, You're a Towel]

Carl Crawford is Pretty Sneaky

Carl Crawford went 4-for-4 with an RBI this Sunday, but did something even more incredible. He stole six bases. In one game.

We all know what a thief Crawford is, but geez. No one has done something this awesome on the base paths for 18 years.

Carl Crawford is Awesome

Carl Crawford, the Tampa Bay Rays' speedy left fielder, showed up to Spring Training this week with the hopes of not only improving his own game, but the team's overall performance.

The 26-year-old two-time All-Star, four-time American League stolen base champ and all-around badass, is one of just seven guys in the past 18 years to increase his batting average over five straight seasons.

"I'd just like to do whatever I can to help the team win more games or get into a position to be better for the next year."

What a guy. He's all young and excited.

Here's the thing about the Rays, though. It's true that anything is possible, but the club has averaged 97 losses per season since their 1998 inception. A new sun-shiny logo and name-change just isn't going to cut it. Sure, they've added some defense and improved their pitching staff in a monster trade with the Minnesota Twins this offseason, but they have a long way to go if they plan on competing for a playoff spot in the brutal AL East.

The good news is that guys like Crawford, who hit .315 with 11 longballs, 80 RBIs and 50 stolen bags last season, are the ones who can make all the difference.

[MLB]

Out of Commission

After fouling a pitch off his shin and breaking his right tibia Friday night, New York Mets veteran second baseman Jose Valentin will be out at least 6 weeks - which could mean the rest of the season barring a trip to the playoffs for the Mets.

Valentin is batting .241 with 3 longballs and 18 RBIs this season.

[Surfing The Mets]

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is sidelined with a left shoulder strain, which is not considered serious. Big Papi, hitting .321 with 16 homers and 60 RBIs, was thrown out diving in an attempt to stretch a single into a double Friday night - but an MRI showed no structural damage.

To make matters worse, the All-Star first baseman was slapped with a lawsuit by Steiner's Sports Marketing for not signing enough memorabilia for fans or appearing at as many meet-and-greet events as his contract stated.

[Extra Bases]

Tampa Bay Devil Rays only sign of talent left fielder Carl Crawford left Saturday's first game of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning with a left ankle sprain.

Crawford hurt himself beating out an infield hit in the top of the third, but limped around after stepping on the bag awkwardly and hobbled for the rest of the inning.

Wheels is batting .290 with 6 homers and 5 RBIs.

[Devil Rays]