Rays' Burrell, Crawford involved in verbal altercation

September 17, 1:00 AMTampa Bay Rays ExaminerRob Quinn

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CC feels the pain of losing, possibly leaving AP/Bill Kostroun

The last two weeks have seen the Rays turn from contenders into pretenders and the frustration can no longer be kept behind closed doors. Marc Topkin reported a verbal confrontation in front of players and the media today, but for the sake of fun, let’s allow Michael Buffer to take it from here (you’ll have to use your imagination of course).

In the red corner, hailing from Houston, Texas, at six foot-two and weighing in at two hundred fifteen pounds, the Tampa Bay Rays all-time leader in games played, hits, batting average, singles, doubles, triples, runs scored, RBI, and stolen bases, the dean of the Rays, Caaaaarrrrlll Crrrrrraaawwford!!

…And in the blue corner, from the University of Miami via Eureka Springs, Arkansas, at six foot-four and weighing in at 235 pounds, the number one pick in the 1998 Major League Entry draft, the third leading home run hitter in the one hundred twenty year history of the Philadelphia Phillies and a 2008 World Series Champion, Pat "The Bat" Buurrreelllll!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get ready to rumble!

Rays fans really don't mind if Burrell gets ejected AP/Winslow Townson

Okay, so it wasn’t a boxing match, but it was a heated verbal confrontation and its causes are worth some consideration, though Joe Maddon dismissed it as "nothing".

In the business world, there is this acronym – WOP. Right now Pat Burrell is putting the "Waste" in Waste of Payroll. The Rays are paying him $7 million this season and owe him $9 million next season. He’s having the worst season of his career in every category, and yes, he’s getting out-slugged by the mighty Marco Scutaro. Rays’ fans are certainly upset with Burrell about his play, but why Crawford?

Let’s be clear about one thing – it is by no means a 100% certainty that Carl Crawford will return to the Rays next season. Jason Bartlett, J.P. Howell, Matt Garza, and B.J. Upton are all arbitration-eligible this offseason - meaning they will each be receiving considerable pay raises. The Rays will at least pick up Crawford’s $10 million option, but they may be forced to trade him. The Rays carried a payroll of around $65 million this season and if they choose to keep Crawford, they will have $29 million tied up in three players (Crawford, Pena, and Burrell) for 2010. With the disappointing attendance figures this season, that may not be a commitment this front office is willing or able to make.

Basically, what this all comes down to is the fact that Crawford may be forced out of Tampa Bay because Pat Burrell is a giant flop and a waste of $16 million this organization could ill afford to squander. Keep in mind that during the Rays’ recent 11-game losing streak, Burrell went 2-for-31 (.065) with no extra base hits.

Is that the reason Crawford blew up at Burrell today? Probably not. Is it in the back of Crawford’s mind? Almost certainly. We’re probably blowing this whole thing out of proportion and it is probably nothing, as Maddon insisted, but this front office is about to find out what it’s like living with a very bad free agent signing in a very small market. It can make life pretty miserable.

What do you think is behind the whole CC-Burrell altercation? Let me know in a comment.

Jason Bartlett hits: 148

Jason Bartlett groundball singles between short and third: 30

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