Heating up the "stove" By: Scott Puffer

With about 28 days until spring training and 60 days until opening day, the Tampa Bay Rays are giving us something to talk about. The Rays announced Wednesday that they have singed three players adding one to the 40-man roster,and giving the other two minor league contracts with invitations to spring training. Mike Ekstrom was claimed off waivers from the Padres and added to the 40-man roster and catcher Alvin Colina and left-handed pitcher Heath Phillips were signed and are invited to join the Rays in spring training.

In 2009 Ekstrom (26yrs old) pitched in 12 games over two stints with the Padres. He spent the remainder of the season with Triple-A Portland, where he went 4-2 with a 1.73 ERA in 42 appearances (one start). The Oregon native was selected by San Diego in the 12th round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. He is also a four-time All-Star over six Minor League seasons and was the Padres' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2006.

Alvin Colina the 28 year old catcher has played parts of 11 seasons in the Minor Leagues,and appeared in two games for the Colorado Rockies in 2006. He hit .262 with eight home runs and 42 RBIs in 67 games with the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves in 2009.

Heath Phillips,27 was a member of the Rays' organization briefly in 2008, when he appeared in nine games (three starts) for Triple-A Durham. He was selected by the White Sox in the 10th round of the 2000 Draft,and pitched six games in relief for Chicago in 2007. This past season he went 8-7 with a 4.99 ERA in 27 appearances with Triple-A Omaha in the Royals' organization.

Crawford's Future as a Ray

As people in the Tampa Bay area begin to warm up from the extensive cold spell, a hint of spring is in the air. Warmer days, crisp evenings, and birds fluttering around can only mean one thing, “Mandatory Spring Training reporting date.” To a fan, these words ensure a new season is on its way- bringing with it all the record breakers, walk offs, home runs, and devastating losses that a baseball fan endures for 162 games a season. The Tampa Bay Rays are ready to take the field at Charlotte County Sports Park as Jason Bartlett, Matt Garza, and J.P. Howell have made their deals with the organization; newcomers Rafael Soriano and Kelly Shoppach are ready to debut as Rays, and minus a few loose ends (notably B.J Upton), the 2010 Rays eagerly await Opening Day. While excited about what the 2010 season will bring the Rays, one murky situation is floating in the back of my mind, tugging at my optimism for the season. His name is Carl Crawford. At the end of the 2010 season, C.C. will become a free agent. The question is can the Rays afford to keep him on the payroll? Crawford has spent his entire career as the Rays left fielder. He has endured heart-breaking 100 plus loss seasons, and one turning point season in his career when the Rays made their 2008 World Series appearance. While Crawford is arguably the face of the franchise, other factors are now in place that could affect our beloved C.C.
First baseman Carlos Pena’s contract is due at the end of the 2010 along with Crawford’s. With the Rays having one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, it will be almost impossible for them to make deals with both Crawford and Pena. Crawford’s excellence over the years will net him a large contract with numerous years attached. Can the Rays offer him the 10-15 million a year over 3 plus years Crawford will seek? Unless a deal is made soon it appears that C.C.’s future will most likely rely on the Rays position in the 2010 season prior to trade deadline. I hate to say it, but if the Rays struggle the first half, Crawford slips further from their grips and a trade appears inevitable. While I do not necessarily agree with this, unfortunately there is a business side to baseball that can be down right dirty. I have never been to a game where #13 did not roam left field, steal a base, or by putting the ball into play get down the first base line so quickly he turned a sure out into an infield hit. Nor will I ever forget his grand slam against the Cubs in interleague 2008 to put the Rays back in the lead. Crawford has consistently been relied upon to steal a base, make an amazing diving catch, or put the ball into play at the plate, which he has remarkably achieved year after year I assure you other teams have not forgotten these moments too. Big market teams will loiter and swim around like piranhas waiting for the Rays to make a move. If the deal is not done quickly, I fear Tampa Bay will lose the one player that has consistently brought fans to the Trop for the past six years, whose name is known by fans and non-fans alike, the player that is the “Original Tampa Bay Ray.” Not only does the organization need C.C., baseball in Tampa Bay needs him as well.
--Sarah Bales