Daily Mashup:Crawford talks done (for now), Stark likes Rays & more

Happy Friday to all you Tampa Bay Rays fans out there.

Before we kick off this edition of the Daily Mashup, I want to first congratulate Cork Gaines over at RaysIndex.com. Cork has been one of my favorite influences on Twitter, and today @RaysIndex gained its 1,000 follower! That is 1,000 lucky Rays fans reading some great input from Cork. Keep it up brother!

Now, onto some news…

Rays & Crawford done talking—for now

This story has been ongoing all week, and it is starting to irritate me because writers are using words like “tabled” and “halt” when referring to the contract extension talks between Carl Crawford and the Tampa Bay Rays.

When you use the word “halt” or “tabled” it leads people to believe that the talks were ended in a hostile, disagreeing manner. This is not the case. Bottom line, Spring Training is a time to work towards the new season.

A lot will happen between now and the fall, and a lot of what happens to the Rays may contribute to whether or not we can afford Crawford next year.

So…all you Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees fans…don’t rejoice yet. It is NOT a done deal that Crawford is NOT coming back to the Rays.

Anyway, read Bill Chastain’s take on it here.

Joyce ready for full time 25 man spot

Matt Joyce worked all off season to nab the starting spot in right field this season—my heart is pulling for this guy, my gut tells me he is no better than Bubba Trammell or Mike Kelly.

What are your thoughts? Again, Bill Chastain weighs in here…

ESPN writer pulling for Rays

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com likes the Tampa Bay Rays chances this year. Check out his story where he highlights Rafael Soriano and Wade Davis, and how their play will contribute to the clubs success this year.