Crabtree Signs On The Dotted Line

Now that Michael Crabtree has finally signed with the 49ers you can say that one battle is over and a new one about to begin. After finally ending his 72-day holdout, which Crabtree hinted that the entire ordeal was in his agent’s hands from the get-go, he now has to earn the trust of his teammates. Sure he got an additional 1-year and $12 million over the initial offer but was it really worth it in the end?

Crabtree may be a talented player but he now looks like a greedy and selfish diva who put his wallet in front of his professional career and his new team. He has missed out on so much between the mini camps, the pre-season and the first 4 games of the year, games that many will point out as being well played even without the “go to” player. He obviously will not be playing Sunday and the 49ers have a bye week the following week, which puts him in line with finally seeing playing time in Week 7 against the Houston Texans.

Ann Killion of SI brought up a good point in her covering story when she asked if the Jets picking up Braylon Edwards in a trade with the Browns had anything to do with Crabtree finally signing... Inquiring minds want to know?

Michael Crabtree Negotiations

The countdown has begun on the Crabtree negotiations. October 20th, just two weeks away, is the trade deadline in the NFL and all teams must have their Draft Picks signed by November 19th or the player can return to the draft pool.

In the last two weeks there have been accusations of the Jets tampering with the negotiations as well as rumors of Crabtree caving in and ready to accept the 49ers offer and of course based on Crabtree’s agent, Eugene Parker, there is the claim that Crabtree will sit out the year and enter the 2010 NFL Draft. The Jets tampering is being looked in to and there has been no proof provided as of yet on that accusation.

Today sources said that Crabtree was returning to San Francisco to renew contract negotiations, which could be a positive thing for both parties. Right now, as it stands, the 49ers have offered Crabtree 5-years and $20 million with $16 million guaranteed. This actually seems like a fair offer based on the draft position, but I also understand Crabtree’s side where he feels he is worthy of a better payday. He was an excellent college WR but has yet to prove that in the NFL, do you pay him on his college experience or how you feel he will do in the pros?

If Crabtree does return to the draft it is quite possible that he may fall even further then the 10th Pick next year. There are some decent Receivers next year and Crabtree will have shown that he can be difficult in negotiations not to mention that he will have been out of football for well over a year by the time the 2010 Season starts. You could potentially see Dez Bryant, Arrelious Benn and Brandon LaFell all go before Crabtree in the draft. One mock draft I saw had Crabtree being drafted 10th by the Cowboys next year, probably a stretch too.

MLB Countdown

There is now less then 8 hours left for teams to sign their draft picks from June’s MLB Draft. It looks to be an insanely busy night for many teams, especially considering that the top 3 picks, Strasburg, Ackley and Tate still have not signed and 10 of the top 15 players have not signed. The sad thing is that of the 13 picks from the First Round remaining to sign, Scott Boras represents 6 of them including the first 3 picks.

You have to wonder how long Boras will hold out to get insane numbers for his players. The Nationals are rumored to have offered Strasburg $12.5 million, topping the previous record of $10.5 million signed by Mark Prior in 2001, yet Boras still has not jumped on the offer. I guess we will have to wait a couple of hours to see how things unfold.

My Mariners are still in negotiations with #2 Pick Dustin Ackley, which from what I have read appear to be moving in the right direction. The team recently signed the #27 Pick SS Nick Franklin. One thing that I would like to point out to Ackley is that 22 years ago the Mariners drafted another hard-hitting left handed outfielder with the #1 Overall Pick and things have worked out quite well for that Future-HOFer. Remember, Safeco Field was built for Griffey; it is a left-hander’s paradise.

Curry Signs With Seahawks

In some great news out of Seattle (for us Seahawk fans), the Seahawks First Round draft choice Aaron Curry agreed to terms with the team for a 6-year $60 million deal. Now that the 4th overall pick has signed a contract the Seahawks look very solid at linebacker with Curry, Hill and Tatupu (my personal favorite) pegged for the starting linebacker positions.

Last year was a fluke; a number of injuries to key positions and some new players coming in it was bound to cause some grief for the team. But now Hasselbeck is back and healthy not to mention a solid receiving corps with Nate Burleson, TJ Houshmandzadeh and Deion Branch. John Carlson and Julius Jones have now been with the team for a year and have learned the system. Things can only go up with this team, even with Jim Mora taking over. I don’t see a return to 2005-06 form but making it to the playoffs should not be out of the question.