8/26 11:30: Former Rays’ teammate and now Los Angeles Angels pitcher Scott Kazmir may help in the recruiting efforts. According to Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com Kazmir said he would be happy to reach out to Crawford this winter.

“If they’re really serious about him, yeah,” Kazmir said. “I’d love to have him on the team. I don’t think there’s anyone in the league who has the skills he has, who brings so much to the table. He creates stuff, he’s an excellent outfielder and he has power. He pretty much has it all. I think everyone would love to have him.”

8/25 11:45: Free-agent-to-be Carl Crawford could be headed to Southern California if the rumors of Torii Hunter’s recruiting efforts are true. Despite the rumors, Hunter is denying any attempts at luring his friend to the Los Angeles Angels.

“Everybody and their mama’s going to want Carl Crawford,” Hunter said according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. “So you never know what can happen.”

“People forget he’s my friend, he’s one of my best buddies in the game,” Hunter said. “People are making it out like I’m trying to recruit him and everything. I’m just his friend, like always. But since he’s a free agent they think I’m trying to recruit him. I’m not.

“I was a free agent once, so if he asks me about free agency I’m going to help him out, whether he joins the Angels or not. He’s my friend first.”

Crawford will draw heavy interest from those that could afford him. It’s expected that he could command a contract over $70 million that breaks down to the $12-14 million per season range. The Rays are unlikely to have him back since the team’s payroll will be under $60 million next year. The Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have previously expressed interest in Crawford. At the time when Crawford was told that the Yankees were interested in him, Crawford said, “I don’t think about other teams. I’m only concerned with what goes on with the Rays.”

“I’m pretty sure he would love to stay with the Rays,” Hunter said. “But I’m pretty sure he has to think about that turf and that dome, and you have to think about your future first. Baseball is No. 1, and if you can’t play it because you’re sore every day, you learn that.”