Carl Crawford

[Omaha Red Sox]

Apr 9
Ian Harrison, of DevilRays.MLB.com, reports Tampa Bay Devil Rays OF Carl Crawford said he is trying to pick his spots more this 2006 season when it comes to steals. Crawford said, "In the past I've always run just to be running. You want to be a smart runner, you don't want to be a guy who gets on and runs every time. I'd rather be safe 30 out of 30 times than have 50 bags and be caught 20 times."

For those of us who were counting on 50 steals...

[Another Blown Save]

And this is coming from the guy who said that he wants to be the number 1 fantasy player

[Dan Lambskin]

Apr 9
Ian Harrison, of DevilRays.MLB.com, reports Tampa Bay Devil Rays OF Carl Crawford said he is trying to pick his spots more this 2006 season when it comes to steals. Crawford said, "In the past I've always run just to be running. You want to be a smart runner, you don't want to be a guy who gets on and runs every time. I'd rather be safe 30 out of 30 times than have 50 bags and be caught 20 times."

For those of us who were counting on 50 steals...

[The Mighty Trow]

this news just made my day. i'm so happy i took him in the first round..

a question on a related note: is there any chance that the arrival of Maddon will change the way the Devil Rays run? Up to last year they have been one of the most aggressive basestealing teams around. any chance he'll hold his players back, a la billy beane?

[The Loveable Losers]

If ST is any indication of his tendencies then pretty much everyone is green lighted at all times.

Crawford's playing it smart here. I don't think he's going to be stealing 65 any time soon but I still see him swiping about 35-45 bags this year. And not getting caught stealing helps his run totals as well so this isn't that bad of a thing - he's basically saying he's going to run all the time when he feels he can steal the base.