The Yankees will be too worried about Cliff Lee to get involved with Carl Crawford, Angels outfielder Torii Hunter believes.
The Angels are the favorite to land Crawford, reportedly willing to make the franchise’s first $100 million offer to the former Rays outfielder. Hunter told the Los Angeles Times he thinks there will be competition for the left fielder, but it will come from the Yankees’ rival from Boston.
“The Yankees are not going to go after him,” said Hunter, who according to the report is in regular contact with Crawford.
“They’ve got Cliff Lee. Boston might be the team. I think Boston and the Angels, that will be the bidding war.”
The Angels and Red Sox are coming off disappointing seasons; both missed the playoffs. Yankees GM Brian Cashman visited Lee on Wednesday, and according to reports have reached out to Crawford’s agent.
If the Yankees were able to get both Crawford and Lee it would be similar to two years ago when the Yankees first paid big money for starting pitching with CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett then came in at the end to sign Mark Teixiera, who was an Angels free agent.
“We’ve got the weather, the sun shining, and 40,000 fans every night, win or lose,” Hunter said. “When you get off turf, this is where you want to be.
“(Crawford has) been saying great things about Anaheim. He needs to go through the process and take his visits. That’s what I encouraged him to do. If he comes out here and takes a visit, we’re going to win him over.”
*
After Crawford, Phillies free agent right fielder Jayson Werth is the most-prized position player on the free-agent market.
ESPN.com reports it is unlikely Werth returns to Philadelphia.
“No chance. None. Zero,” a Phillies source told the website.
The Red Sox have been in contact with Werth recently, according to reports.
***
The Blue Jays were surprise contenders through the early part of the 2010 season and finished an impressive 85-77.
That was due to a league-leading 257 home runs — 46 more than the Red Sox, who were second in baseball — and a young pitching staff with Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow, Brett Cecil and Shaun Marcum all having solid seasons. Toronto may be trying to add another live arm to that staff and have talked to the Royals about the possibility of acquiring Zack Greinke, according to the Toronto Star.
The report states that the Royals are looking for two “can’t-miss prospects” in return. The Rangers, if they fail to bring back Lee, are said to also be interested in the Royals right-hander.