The Dodgers have released outfielder Carl Crawford, as MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick tweets. Recently designated for assignment, Crawford obviously did not draw any interest on the waiver wire.
Crawford is still owed $35MM or so on the ill-fated contract he first signed with the Red Sox, after all, and there was no chance that was being taken over by another organization. That cash will remain on the Dodgers’ books, with other teams free to add Crawford at the league minimum rate.
Though the waiver clearance was fully expected, it would be surprising if there isn’t at least some interest in the 34-year-old veteran. He has struggled this year, and continues to deal with a variety of maladies, but Crawford still owns a useful .278/.320/.400 batting line in over 1,000 plate appearances over his four seasons in Los Angeles.
That’s solid league-average hitting, which is all the more appealing when combined with his other skills. Crawford continues to move well on the bases when healthy. And he’s long been viewed as a quality outfielder. The recent returns from defensive metrics aren’t as promising, but he’s only been seen as a negative in a small and injury-riddled sample.
The fleet-footed Crawford certainly isn’t the player he once was, but as an essentially free asset he makes for an interesting addition to the open market. Organizations interested in a left-handed-hitting outfielder could do a lot worse, at a much higher cost, so he could be pursued relatively broadly for a just-released player.
Eppler this is smart
I was going to comment the same thing! Huge upgrade over Nava/Gentry
But Crawford has something in common w/ both Gentry and Nava…ALL 3 don’t stay healthy and are washed up….let Ortega and Cuningham man LF and mature…LF production isn’t hurting the club and IMO CC won’t help….
even not being the player he was, I don’t think he’s a bad pick up for the halos
I think the Angels and Giants will both go after him. I think Giants might be the team to land him though. Just my opinion but they both could use a outfielder an she could serve as a DH here and there for the Angels. Would have a better chance at the Playoffs with the Giants at this point though. Not sure if that means anything to him at this point or not.
Giants need a bat from the right side…… I’m going to pass…..
…which is why they have reportedly inquired about Ryan Braun.
I like how you called Carl she. Not saying your wrong.
I gotta add I’m glad he isn’t in the team anymore soaking up playing time from the younger guys and some of the veterans that were more deserving but I can also say that he was pretty clutches for us when we needed that single or double with runners on base late in games
Is this his last year on LA’s payroll?
No. The $35MM or so is still owed through the 2017 season. The Dodgers will be liable for all of it, minus whatever minimal contract Crawford signs with any team as a free agent during that time frame.
.278? Hell that is cleanup hitter material for the Braves.
That’s a little bit of a reach.
He’d be #2-4 combined all in one for the Braves 😀
Haha, good call. Although we got some HRs tonight.
It’s now official. It will be interesting to see if either the White Sox or Cubs have any interest in Carl Crawford for somewhere around the cost of a pro-rated MLB minimum contract.
The White Sox especially might take a flyer on him to join former Rays teammate James Shields on the South Side. They need offense in the worst way, especially a left-handed hitter. Crawford might finally answer the black hole the club has had with the #2 spot of their batting order since Tadahito Iguchi filled it so well back in 2005 and 2006. Recently signed left-handed hitter Justin Morneau might also help with the middle of the White Sox batting order by the All-Star break, following his final rehab from last season’s elbow injury and some AB’s at AAA Charlotte. What does the team have to lose at this point except for some cash and more games in the standings?
no 1st place team is gonna take the chance on him…just not logical
Cubs aren’t gonna have any interest in him
He’s a former Maddon player?
Dude, he can’t hit. At all. What’s your obsession with placing him in the White Sox 2 hole? No smart team would waste ABs on this guy.
It depends on Crawford’s health. He is still just 34 years old and slashed .300/.339/.429 with 23 SB’s in 105 games as recently as 2014. Adding in just 55 SO’s in 370 PA’s, those sound like pretty good numbers for a #2 hitter who would likely platoon as a LF/DH versus right-handed pitching with the White Sox.
Well the Chi Sox did have J Roll batting in the 2 hole, and you said smart, so I’m going to say there’s a good chance.
If SF got an OF not named Braun, it’s a mistake (besides, they’re used to cheaters roaming LF for them). Being in 1st is too much to take a risk on CC, even when he isn’t cheating he’s a plus. Toss Belt & some young kids to MIL, move Buster to 1B & get Braun/Lucroy.
Halos could use LH bat & a contract someone else is paying for, for a change.
I don’t really know anything about the Giants farm and won’t pretend to, but if you’re trying to get both Lucroy and Braun it’s going to take a lot. Or are you saying one or the other?
Giants farm chips are not strong at all. That does put them at a disadvantage at the trade deadline, as MLB players are most often traded for prospects then.
Thanks, Dan. That’s what I was assuming as I am relatively familiar with the top 10 or so systems. And judging by other responses to gilagator most share the same sentiment as me as it pertains to Belt.
braun will be pricey, considering his contract. Lucroy may be more feasible.
MIL needs players for 2018
Milwaukee has no use for Belt. If the Giants want Braun and LuCroy they’d need to center that deal around a heck of a lot more than Belt.
‘toss’ Belt, the same player who just signed a 6yr extension and has an OPS+ of 151, to a rebuilding Brewers team?? Can I have whatever you’re smoking?
Belt is not being traded hahaha
to be clear…im only saying that IF the Giants want to be Braun they’ll need to get creative to do so bc they don’t have a system to use as bait.
this creativity can mean anything from involving another club or moving a valuable piece (though not as likely).
madison & buster are their conerstones, and players DO get traded during contracts & good production and belt would be wanted by another team – that’s all im trying to say.
so, it is feasible that buster get moved from behind the plate – moving belt to the OF is about a good idea as chris davis playing there. without prospects, this deal any deal will be hard for them to make.
I’m willing to bet that he will picked up by the Angels….
Obviously. Thanks for pointing out the obvious. Get a thesaurus my friend. Love the great info though.
I’m curious, if a guy gets released with $35 mil still on his contract, does he have to keep playing to have the former team pay that, or can he hypothetically retire tomorrow and still collect the remaining amount left on his deal?
Just curious how that works – I vaguely remember a Royals pitcher retiring a few years ago and actually telling the team to keep the money.
as long as he doesn’t file retirement papers, he’ll still get his money
So just refuse to sign with anyone, but don’t file your retirement paperwork and still get paid? Wow, why would any kid that’s a great athlete ever choose football over baseball…..lol?
Thanks!
Gil Meche was that pitcher. It was kind of easy for him to say keep the $11 million because he had already been paid $44 million the prior four years. I know the greed runs rampant around this place, but $44 million is enough to live out your dreams and then some for the rest of your life.
These long term massive contracts rarely ever work out for the team. Yet we will see teams line up one after another this offseason to sign players to big bucks only to be disappointed in a few years.
Red Sox should claim him
If you claim him, you have to pay his entire salary. Now that he’s passed through waivers, he’s free to sign anywhere.
Well, Kenny Williams always loves a reclamation project and likes to shop in the scratch and dent/clearance aisle. I suppose it’s not a huge risk at this point anyway. Tell Rick the puppet to get on the phone.
Yankees take this guy.
Carl Crawford is a big reason why I wish MLB salaries were kept private. Fans don’t really need to know what players are making. Crawford was not THAT bad for the last few years, but fans see his salary and expect him to be in the MVP discussion or else he is a bust. Take away the salary knowledge and he is a decent veteran outfielder in the mold of Juan Pierre. That is not a bad guy to have on the team.
No one will clam him but I could see Braves trying to sign him once he does clear waivers give 2 million to play the rest of year to try to build his value in non contender where there less presser to win , I could also see team like Rays given him a chance it was home before he all this happen to his career .
Why pay him $2 Million? No reason to pay that when not required and not going to get is any further. 15th on the NL is no different than 6th, except for draft order later.
Be an okay pickup on a horrible Angels team…. The organization is so bad I wonder if they even know he is available, and if they do know…. do they have a clue on who he is…. Angels baseball for you.
If Crawford could play first base I think he’d be a better option than Ike Davis on the Yankees? Hey , they thought David Ortiz was done too? He was a waiver wire pick up too.
Has he stared blaming the city of Boston for the release yet?