Carl Crawford's $8.25 million for 2009 was exercised Tuesday by the Tampa Bay Rays, who declined Rocco Baldelli's $6 million option and agreed to a $10.5 million, three-year deal with reliever Dan Wheeler. Crawford, who is earning $5.25 million this year, is a two-time All-Star and four-time AL stolen base champion who is just the seventh player since 1900 to increase his batting average over five consecutive seasons. The 26-year-old is one of 10 major leaguers who have hit .300 or better each of the past three years.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity for this day," Crawford said in a statement released by the team. "I'm looking forward to being here for a long time because I think we're at the start of something great going on here."

Baldelli, 26, has been sidelined since last May because of lingering hamstring problems and what doctors have told him and the Rays is mitochondrial disorder, a condition that causes extreme fatigue. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list last month.

Rather than exercise his option for 2009, the Rays bought out the final three years of his contract for $4 million. The club had a second option for 2010 and 2011.

Wheeler will earn $2.8 million this season, $3.2 million in 2009 and $3.5 million in 2010. The 2011 option is for $4 million with a $1 million buyout.

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