Rays Exercise Option on All-Star Carl Crawford

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have exercised their $10 million option on All-Star Carl Crawford.

The team on Monday also declined $2 million options on left-handed reliever Brian Shouse and backup catcher Gregg Zaun.

The 28-year-old Crawford was the MVP
of this year’s All-Star game. The speedy left fielder also is the
longest-tenured player in Rays history and the franchise’s career
leader in hits, runs, steals, triples, RBIs and games. He hit .305 with
15 homers, 68 RBIs and a career-high 60 steals this year.

If the Rays had declined the option, he would have been owed a $1.25 million buyout.

Shouse gets a $200,000 buyout and Zaun receives a $500,000 buyout. Both became eligible for free agency.