Now that Jayson Werth has signed his jaw-dropping contract with the Nationals, the hot stove dominoes are likely to start falling. Werth’s contract, henceforth known as the Nationals’ Deficit, gives Carl Crawford more leverage than a supermodel at a Star Wars premiere. Multiple sources are now reporting Crawford’s agent is seeking eight years and $180 million, or 2 ½ times the total payroll for the 2010 Tampa Bay Rays. It’s likely that the only way Crawford would get more money is if his agent was also Scott Boras, and the Nationals were competing against themselves to sign him.
It just happens that there is one other free agent linchpin seeking similar money—Cliff Lee—and exactly two teams with the capital to sign them. Though the Rangers and Angels have thrown their hats in the free agency ring, the most likely scenario still has it that the Yankees and Red Sox will rochambeau for Crawford and Lee. That would leave the rest of the league, henceforth known as the Other 28, to compete for the services of the remaining outfield options. And there are some needy competitors. The Rays will have to replace the bats of Crawford and Carlos Pena, the Angels will look to improve their lineup after a sub-.500 season, and the Tigers appear poised to keep spending.
Here then are the ten best likely available outfielders once Crawford signs…
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