The rumors linking the Red Sox to Carl Crawford are heating up in the days leading up to the winter meetings.
According to Yahoo Sports' Tim Brown, the team has met with Crawford and his agent in Houston. Crawford is reportedly seeking a deal as long as eight years, which would expire when he is 37.
Brown's Tweet came hours after a report by the Boston Herald's Michael Silverman, which had the Sox focusing primarily on Crawford or fellow free-agent outfielder Jayson Werth.
Werth, 31, is rumored to be seeking a six-year deal.
With the loss of catcher Victor Martinez and the potential departure of third baseman Adrian Beltre, Boston could find itself with a great need for offensive firepower. The links to both players are no surprise, but it appears as if the interest in Crawford has intensified.
