Tampa Bay Rays excited for Carl Crawford, but disappointed he'll end up in Boston  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA — For a day they knew was coming and an outcome that had been oft-speculated, the Rays still took the news a bit like a high-and-tight fastball that Carl Crawford wasn't just leaving, but going to the rival Red Sox.

Sources: Yanks offer Cliff Lee 7 years … The New York Yankees on Thursday have gone to a seventh year on their offer to Cliff Lee, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney and ESPNNewYork.com's Andrew Marchand.  —  Sources told ESPNNewYork.com and ESPN.com that the original offer to Lee was for six years and $140 million.

Not our job: Cliff Lee rep won't give Texas Rangers number  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The last time the Texas Rangers saw agent Darek Braunecker, they asked him precisely what it's going to take to bring the pitcher Cliff Lee back to Arlington in 2011.  —  After giving the matter careful …

Lupica: Yanks offer World to Lee, make Jeter beg … BEST OF NYDN.COM

Clubs seek diamond in rough in Rule 5 Draft  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — In a perfect world, teams would take the relatively low risk of making a selection in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft and uncover a Johan Santana, Josh Hamilton, Joakim Soria or Dan Uggla.  —  But while the Rule 5 Draft …

Rodriguez Leads Off Active Rule 5  —  Nineteen players selected in major league phase  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.—Familiarity does not breed contempt in the Rule 5 draft.  It breeds draft picks.  —  The Pirates held the No. 1 overall selection, and general manager Neal Huntington reached …

Twins Would Consider Trading Slowey  —  The Twins would consider trading Kevin Slowey - especially if they re-sign Carl Pavano - reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.  Sherman says the Twins have actually received inquiries on ace Francisco Liriano from the Yankees and others, but a team official can't imagine moving the lefty.