[agee]

4x4 AL only standard $260. I have Carl Crawford in his option year at $10. Each year extended on a long-term contract adds $5. How far would you extend? How do people $ value category dominators?

[Bernie Carbo]

I have Crawford under the same scenario, 10 bucks going into
his option year I am looking to sign him for 2 years(1 year beyond option year) I will have him for $15 for the next 2 years. My opinion is unless u get a guy real cheap only sign him for 2 years. Also my team has won the last 2 years and I am setting my team up for the next 2 years hoping for the 4-peat so keeping my contracts to 2 years. Don't know how much this will help u but this is what I am doing. Best of luck!!

[jwlincy]

I would say 1 or 2 years. If you lock him in at $15 or $20 you should be some good value based on his steals potential alone. If he comes around in some other categories, he could push $30 in a year or two.

[hacko]

I also own him for 10 opt in a ALonly 5x5 ultra league . I am signing him to 20 L2 (two years) You know he has the steals & am hoping the power will come. I too don't like to go to much over 2 years on any Long term contract. I would hate to tie him up for 30 dollars & see him do a Aaron Boone. Or worse yet become a Pat Listach.

[phantaciephreak]

For $10-20, I'd take a chance on him. He's not yet reached his peak. If he boosts his average up a little bit, he could become quite a valuable player in 5x5. Obviously, his value is points-based leagues is much less....

[Hammer]

I would also go out 2 years on him. One would think he can only get better over time. If he ever starts hitting for a little power, watchout

[BC...]

I agree with the rest, at least one year and quite possibly two.

[willb125]

I would lean towards two years. He's only 22 years old and seems to have adjusted somewhat to ML pitching (see second half stats from last year). The K/BB ratio is not good, which is a cause for concern.

I've got him at $10 heading into his option year. I'm thinking two extra years at $20.

Edit: Found the splits-

Pre-All Star: .268, 19 BB, 70 K, 340 AB
Post All Star: .297, 7 BB, 32 K, 290 AB

The Ks dropped tremendously, 1 every 4.86 AB to 1 every 9.06 AB. Would like to see the walks rise a bit, but you have to love the contact playing on carpet with his speed.

[chancellor]

Based on the stuff I read, Crawford earned $27-$30 last year, even with that horrid OBP. If he just increases that OBP to .325...think 60-70 SBs.

Extend him for two years without even hesitating. I'd extend him to three, if I could,which would put him at $25 - he's already earning profit on that, and I think he'll improve over the next three years.

[agee]

Thanks for the feedback. As I suspected, there's as much rationale for going to $20 as for $15. And even the $25 possibility isn't preposterous. I've seen one valuation of Crawford's 2003 season at $42 in a 4x4 format. That seems very high, but this must be a system that gives value to each SB.

Seems to come down to two questions: what does crawford go for in your auction if available and is his career track juan pierre or kenny lofton? I lean to the latter -- given his size, I think the power will develop sooner rather than later.

But the low walk rate is a concern, as is the possibility that he could be dealt at some point into a situation where he doesn't have Piniella's green light (my league is an NL only/AL only format, so I wouldn't lose him if he crosses over). All of which makes me lean in Carbo's direction: lower the risk by keeping the extensions to a minimum and then gnash your teeth in that yera you could have had him and he steals 70 and wins the batting title.

[SoFla Psycho]

What is an NL Only/AL Only League?

[Webber]

I'm not quite as high on him as most people here. I like my speed guys to have higher walk totals. As a strict SB play in any fantasy league I think crawford will be tremendous. But if you're also looking for avg., runs, and a little pop look elsewhere. His SB totals will be high but I wouldn't be surprised to see him struggle at the plate. We're either looking at the next Tim Raines or another Roger Cedeño or Alex Sanchez. Don't get too carried away with that contract extension...