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Moriarty9 · 08-05-2009, 08:19 AM

Crawford, Lackey sign deals
Young players ink multi-year contracts
November 4, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays agreed to terms with two of its youngest stars today, signing outfielder Carl Crawford and starting pitcher John Lackey to multi-year deals.

The team avoided arbitration with Crawford by signing the 24-year-old to a three-year deal worth $21.5 million. He will be paid $6.5 million next season, $7 million in 2007, and $8 million in 2008. Crawford was paid just under $366,000 this past season, in which he hit .292 with 39 doubles, 15 triples, 15 home runs, 77 RBI, 111 runs scored, and 58 stolen bases.

With Lackey, the Devil Rays rewarded a fine rookie season with a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth season. Lackey will be paid $2 million in 2006, $2.5 million in 2007, and $2.35 million in 2008, with a team option for 2009 at $3.5 million. He could earn a $500,000 bonus if he wins the Cy Young Award in any season.

Lackey went 12-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 20 games with Tampa Bay, including 19 starts. He was called up to the Devil Rays after a 12-0 start to the 2005 season in AAA, where he posted a 2.14 ERA.

"Obviously the front office believes John will be a big pitcher for us going forward, and I agree," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "The kid did his best and sometimes you get rewarded for that sooner than later."

The organization has no players from its big league roster facing free agency this off-season, but does have a number of arbitration-eligible players including catcher Victor Martinez, shortstop Jimmy Rollins, and pitcher John Stephens.

08-05-2009, 08:19 AM	#479 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Crawford, Lackey sign deals Young players ink multi-year contracts November 4, 2005 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays agreed to terms with two of its youngest stars today, signing outfielder Carl Crawford and starting pitcher John Lackey to multi-year deals. The team avoided arbitration with Crawford by signing the 24-year-old to a three-year deal worth $21.5 million. He will be paid $6.5 million next season, $7 million in 2007, and $8 million in 2008. Crawford was paid just under $366,000 this past season, in which he hit .292 with 39 doubles, 15 triples, 15 home runs, 77 RBI, 111 runs scored, and 58 stolen bases. With Lackey, the Devil Rays rewarded a fine rookie season with a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth season. Lackey will be paid $2 million in 2006, $2.5 million in 2007, and $2.35 million in 2008, with a team option for 2009 at $3.5 million. He could earn a $500,000 bonus if he wins the Cy Young Award in any season. Lackey went 12-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 20 games with Tampa Bay, including 19 starts. He was called up to the Devil Rays after a 12-0 start to the 2005 season in AAA, where he posted a 2.14 ERA. "Obviously the front office believes John will be a big pitcher for us going forward, and I agree," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "The kid did his best and sometimes you get rewarded for that sooner than later." The organization has no players from its big league roster facing free agency this off-season, but does have a number of arbitration-eligible players including catcher Victor Martinez, shortstop Jimmy Rollins, and pitcher John Stephens.