The Devil Rays intend to make Carl Crawford available this winter in attempts to land a pitcher with top-of-the-rotation abilities. Rays officials have come to believe the only way to rise to consistent challengers in an AL East that houses the Yankees and Red Sox is to form a dynamic rotation that has a chance to stay together for a few years, similar to what the A's did with Barry Zito, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder. Crawford is alluring even in that forum because he already is of All-Star level, just turned 25 last month, is signed to a club-friendly long-term contract (four years at $27.5 million, including options, after this season). The Angels have previously considered dealing Ervin Santana for Crawford. The Rockies and Dodgers have been interested, and the Astros would likely be as well, since he is from the Houston area.