“Again, this wasn’t about Carl,’’ Henry texted. “At the time I was opposed due to too many lefties in the lineup and particularly in the outfield. Also, our two best prospects were both lefthanded hitters.’’
He was right on the money.
There was not an overwhelming reason for signing Crawford when the Sox really needed a righthanded hitter. And then spending $142 million for a player who is similar to Jacoby Ellsbury? Seemed like excessive spending.
Henry was right. Yet, as he pointed out, “This was a baseball decision I ultimately backed it.’’
That’s because his general manager, Theo Epstein and his staff wanted Crawford. Henry didn’t stand in the way.
The first year of the seven-year deal was disastrous. Crawford hit .255, the lowest of his major league career, and was a shadow of himself at the plate and in the field from his first nine seasons in Tampa Bay.
It’s great that Henry was so honest. And it was great that Crawford reacted publicly. We are casting stones at no one. Both Henry and Crawford reacted like human beings.
Asked if he thought he needed to meet with Henry and get on the same page, Crawford said, “What page? You know, I don’t know, if he wants to meet with me we’ll have that meeting. I’m not too sure. I don’t know if he has plans.
“I can’t do nothing about what he said, just go out and play. It was unfortunate he feels that way. It’s nothing for me to say to him. I wasn’t happy about it. I was a little surprised to hear the comments, but you know it’s unfortunate he feels that way. Wish those words hadn’t came out.’’
Henry certainly doesn’t feel that way now. He has a $142 million investment and he’d certainly like some yield on it.
Crawford had left wrist surgery and may be behind the rest of the players in camp. He has taken the brace off the wrist and he’s throwing, and said he should be able to swing the bat soon, but he has not been cleared to swing.
