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Just in time for an important late-season series between the Yankees and Red Sox, New York general manager Brian Cashman threw a little bit more fuel on the rivalry's fire. Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com on Thursday that he feigned interest in current Boston outfielder Carl Crawford this past offseason to drive up the price before the Red Sox signed the free agent. The four-time All-Star previousl football tables y played for Tampa Bay. "I actually had dinner with the agent to pretend that we were actually involved and drive the price up," Cashman told the website. "The outfield wasn't an area of need, but everybody kept writing, 'Crawford, Crawford, Crawford, Crawford.' And I was like, 'I feel like we've got Carl Crawford in Brett Gardner, except he costs more than $100 million less, with less experience. football tables '" Crawford has been a disappointment in Boston this season after signing a massive seven-year, $142 million contract. He is batting .259 with 63 runs, 55 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Most of his season totals are well below his career averages. Gardner, meanwhile, is hitting .261 with 83 runs, 36 RBIs and leads the American League with 46 stolen bases. After the ESPN.com story came out, Cashman did football tables a radio interview with 1050 ESPN in New York and said the Red Sox, too, helped inflate prices this winter -- with Crawford's fellow free agent, Mariano Rivera. "I did have dinner [with Crawford's agent], but I didn't have intent, no big deal," Cashman told Michael Kay. "I couldn't tell you if it factored into their decision-making or not. But I do know I felt the interference from them on Mariano, football tables and I know that factored into Mariano's discussions with me in a big way. It's always turbulence involving free agency. "I know Boston reached out to Mariano Rivera and threatened to non-tender Jonathan Papelbon, and obviously Mo, that factored into our discussions with Mo. Not that Mo was going anywhere. It's the tricks of the trade, I guess." The first game of three between the Yankees and Red football tables Sox was postponed on Friday, with Boston trying to avoid the worst collapse since the Wild Card's inception. Boston increased its lead over the Rays to 2 1/2 games with Tampa Bay's 5-1 loss to Toronto on Friday night. The Sox and Yanks have a doubleheader set for Sunday. Cashman previously said that Boston general manager Theo Epstein dominated the Yankees in the offseason, in terms of signings. E football tables pstein also brought Adrian Gonzalez to Boston in a trade with San Diego. According to the ESPN.com report, Cashman did not change his stance this week, even after the Yankees wrapped up the AL East title. "What I said was accurate: The Red Sox had a great winter, and I had a bad winter," Cashman said. "But as it turned out, I had a better winter than anybody would've expected, including myself." football tables
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