Sportsrageous

While the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers are considered the frontrunners in the ongoing Cliff Lee sweepstakes, both franchises are also expressing strong interest in free agent left fielder Carl Crawford.

A source informed ESPN’s Buster Olney that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met with Crawford and his representatives Tuesday night for an extended period of time.

One day after meeting with the Yankees, the four-time All-Star’s agent, Greg Genske, met with the Texas Rangers, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Not only are the Yankees and Rangers expected to engage in a bidding war for Crawford’s services, but multiple club sources close to the Boston Red Sox confirmed Tuesday night that the team remains interested in the highly coveted free agent.

Although the Red Sox have not ruled out the possibility of their division rival acquiring both Lee and Crawford, the front office would reportedly prefer for them to remain occupied with trying to sign the veteran pitcher.

The Los Angeles Angels continue to be the favorites to sign Crawford, but the four-time stolen base champion’s agent has refused to publicly unveil details of ongoing negotiations with his client’s suitors.

Crawford, 29, is widely considered as one of the most gifted athletes in all of baseball. The 2010 Gold Glove winner hit .307 with 19 home runs, 90 RBIs, 110 runs, and 47 stolen bases last season.