Very candid interview with Mr. Ray Carl Crawford by Topkin at the St. Pete Times website, but prepare for hype and depression widespread after this statement:
Had you not signed your long-term deal, you would have been a free agent after this season — do you think much about that?
You think about it, but it's not too much of a big deal. I'm only two more years away, so that's pretty much the same. It's not like I'm going to be broke or nothing (making $5.25-million this season, with options of $8.25-million in 2009 and $10-million in 2010). I just get to play baseball for two more years with these guys and whatever happens, happens. I don't really think about it. I know my time will come one day. I don't regret it at all because I wasn't in a situation to be turning down $32-million.
We all know that unless this team begins winning nobody will want to remain here, so let's try and not read too much into that particular comment, although I'm sure some will. Carl also has some good insight into the clubhouse, his role as a leader, playing with B.J. Upton, and Rocco Baldelli's situation, oh and he apparently had nothing to do with Delmon Young and Elijah Dukes being traded.