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Cardinals Interested In Brandon Crawford

By Darragh McDonald | February 26, 2024 at 1:26pm CDT

The Cardinals and shortstop Brandon Crawford reportedly have mutual interest. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle mentioned earlier today that the Cards were believed to have interest in Crawford, though she also reports that there’s an A.L. West club in the mix. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch confirmed that the Cards are interested in Crawford and relayed that the interest is mutual.

Last week, it was reported that the Cards were looking for some extra shortstop depth, with Crawford, Nick Ahmed and Elvis Andrus mentioned as speculative fits. Ahmed signed a minor league deal with the Giants earlier today, removing one option the Cardinals could have considered.

Crawford, 37, has spent his entire career with the Giants thus far. The Bay Area native was drafted by them in 2008 and made it to the majors by 2011, winning the World Series with them in 2012 and 2014.

Over the past decade-plus, he’s had many good years but is coming off a couple of frustrating campaigns. In 2021, he hit a career-high 24 home runs and slashed .298/.373/.522 for a wRC+ of 140. Along the way, the club signed him to a two-year, $32MM extension so that he wouldn’t reach the open market. Though that deal kept a franchise icon on the roster, it didn’t work out especially well for them.

Crawford spent time on the injured list in 2022 due to knee issues and hit just nine home runs in 118 games. Hit batting line dipped to .231/.308/.344, leading to a wRC+ of 88. His defense also may have slipped, depending on your favored metric. Outs Above Average still had him at +7 but Defensive Runs Saved put a -6 on him.

Last year, things got even worse. There were IL trips due to a right calf strain, left knee inflammation, a left forearm strain and a right hamstring strain. He got into only 94 contests and mustered a tepid batting line of .194/.273/.314. The defensive metrics were split again, with Crawford posting +6 OAA but -14 DRS.

Up until today, a return to the Giants would have been somewhat plausible. That club is slated to have rookie Marco Luciano as its regular shortstop, making it sensible that Crawford could have been brought back as a backup/insurance policy/veteran mentor. But the signing of Ahmed seems to make that less likely and may push Crawford out of San Francisco for the first time in his career.

St. Louis is also set to turn over the shortstop job to a rookie, with Masyn Winn slated for the lion’s share of playing time for the Cards. He has just 37 games of big league experience so far and hit just .172/.230/.238 in that time. The primary fallback option would be Tommy Edman, though he’s penciled in as the club’s everyday center fielder and is also working back from undergoing arthroscopic wrist surgery in October. Utility player Brendan Donovan underwent flexor tendon surgery in August of last year. José Fermín is also on the roster but doesn’t have much of a track record in the majors or even at Triple-A.

Given the state of the depth chart at shortstop, bringing in another option would make sense. Perhaps playing in a part-time role would allow Crawford more opportunity to stay healthy and productive. Or even if he doesn’t play much, he could serve as a mentor and share his accumulated wisdom with Winn, who hasn’t even turned 22 years old yet. Given his struggles over the past two years, he likely wouldn’t cost much, if he’s even able to secure a guaranteed roster spot.

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St. Louis Cardinals Brandon Crawford

Giants Sign Nick Ahmed To Minor League Deal
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Rays Notes: Uwasawa, Devenski, Alexander, Ramirez
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52 Comments

  1. RunDMC

    2 years ago

    Guy’s 37 y/o — of course they’re interested. Can’t have the rotation with all the silverbacks.

    1
    Reply
    • truthlemonade

      2 years ago

      What does your second sentence mean?

      2
      Reply
      • Sid Bream Speed Demon

        2 years ago

        Making fun of their old rotation I would think. Not complicated.

        2
        Reply
        • bassrun

          2 years ago

          Hmmm…. Silverback is a dominant male gorilla. A rotation of silverbacks would be ideal.

          Reply
      • RunDMC

        2 years ago

        silverbacks — men with gray hair

        Reply
        • Jack Hoffman

          2 years ago

          Somehow he explained it and I’m still confused.

          3
          Reply
        • gbs42

          2 years ago

          The Cardinals’ starting pitchers are old. Make sense?

          1
          Reply
    • ddlz

      2 years ago

      Yeah but this one hurts the most

      1
      Reply
  2. vaderzim

    2 years ago

    Someone in the comments of the Nick Ahmed article called this. Props to him for being on top of it.

    2
    Reply
    • ddlz

      2 years ago

      It’s a big Cardinals move to sign a guy who used to be good way past his prime. All 3 guys (Ahmed, Crawford, Andrus) are terrible at this point in their careers anyway so I’d rather just see them not sign anybody and put Descalso out there when Wynn needs a rest day.

      4
      Reply
      • Wagner>Cobb

        2 years ago

        Andrus was solid last year. Crawford might have some gas left in the tank for a limited role such as this. Winn is all but guaranteed to be the starter with a very long leash. This move would be in the event that Winn got hurt or was so utterly bad that a veteran warm body is necessary since they want Edman in CF.

        1
        Reply
        • ddlz

          2 years ago

          He would definitely be the one I want if they sign any of these 3.

          Reply
    • Jack Hoffman

      2 years ago

      I mean, other rumor outlets besides mlbtr exist. He probably saw it rumored somewhere else. Also, nothing is official, so giving him “props” for a rumor of a rumor is pretty funny.

      Reply
      • Wagner>Cobb

        2 years ago

        Why does this bother you? It doesn’t matter one way or another.

        1
        Reply
  3. JohnJasoJingleHeimerSchmidt

    2 years ago

    Cardinals fans can finally know what an elite defensive SS looks like!

    3
    Reply
    • Blackpink in the area

      2 years ago

      Lol what?

      2
      Reply
    • Devlsh

      2 years ago

      Yuck,,,,only if they dig up old footage of him.

      4
      Reply
    • ddlz

      2 years ago

      Yeah -1.3 dWAR last year in half a season is pretty elite. Way better than Wynn or Edman (two of the best defenders at the position in all of baseball).

      5
      Reply
    • CardinalsFan79

      2 years ago

      Someone forgot that Ozzie Smith exists. We know what an elite defensive shortstop looks like, we just haven’t had one in years.

      1
      Reply
      • JohnJasoJingleHeimerSchmidt

        2 years ago

        Look, I’ve never accused Cardinal fans of being intelligent, but this is pretty pathetic even for you guys.

        2
        Reply
        • DarkSide830

          2 years ago

          bruh what

          Reply
        • JohnJasoJingleHeimerSchmidt

          2 years ago

          It’s pretty obvious it was a joke, as evidenced by the word “finally’… does the CardinalWay™ require a stoppage of brain activity?

          (Don’t answer that, we know the answer is yes)

          3
          Reply
  4. RoastGobot

    2 years ago

    Damn this stings if he signs w them

    1
    Reply
    • ddlz

      2 years ago

      It stings just knowing they are CONSIDERING it.

      3
      Reply
  5. Blackpink in the area

    2 years ago

    Makes sense. Crawford is decent enough that he could compete with Carpenter, Burleson and Baker for the last 2 roster spots when everyone is healthy. And of course rarely are everyone healthy.

    1
    Reply
  6. ddlz

    2 years ago

    Brandon Crawford is literally a net negative for this team and yet they’re going to spend money on him anyway. Wild stuff.

    4
    Reply
    • Blackpink in the area

      2 years ago

      It won’t cost any real money. The team needs middle infield depth this can’t hurt.

      1
      Reply
      • ddlz

        2 years ago

        How can it not hurt? He was worth -1.3 WAR in only 320 plate appearances last year. Do you think he’s going to improve much on that?

        1
        Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          2 years ago

          I don’t think he’s going to play all asset much.

          Reply
  7. Enrico Pallazzo

    2 years ago

    Hopefully interested in him as an advisor or coach or something

    1
    Reply
    • Gwynning

      2 years ago

      They’re full-on “going out” now… pre-nup has both their Hancocks on it meow!

      Reply
  8. Four4fore

    2 years ago

    The supposed outfield logjam has their backup SS playing CF. The position players if all are healthy is fine. ROTATION ROTATION ROTATION should be the focus.

    3
    Reply
    • ddlz

      2 years ago

      100%. Makes no sense at all.

      Reply
  9. SupremeZeus

    2 years ago

    MoTie doubles as the casting director of Cocoon.

    3
    Reply
  10. LetTheGoodTimesROFL

    2 years ago

    I’m still waiting for them to announce BENGAY patches for their uniforms.

    1
    Reply
  11. Bryzzo2016

    2 years ago

    I thought this dude retired. He’s washed. Mo has had a rough winter and signing Crawford would fall in line with the way he tried to “fix” that horrible rotation, signing guys way past their prime.

    Reply
  12. playhard9

    2 years ago

    Crawford is a scrappy gamer well past his prime. Perfect fit! Can’t wait for Marmol to start playing Crawford at SS & Carpenter at 2B after the first mild slump that happens to Winn or Gorman. Can hear him already talking about how experienced these two veterans are. We need leadership!!!

    Reply
    • rcpez

      2 years ago

      I would agree 100% with this sentiment if Matheny were still at the helm.

      Reply
  13. Mike56

    2 years ago

    Kinda wonder what opening day roster for Cards would look like if this happens. Maybe Edman goes on IL for awhile but when he comes back someone would have to go. Carpenter? Carlson? Maybe send Burleson down . Sure there gonna keep 13 pitchers

    Reply
    • Gwynning

      2 years ago

      You HAVE TO keep 13 & 13 for your 26, just FYI.

      Reply
      • AHH-Rox

        2 years ago

        No you don’t. 13 is the maximum number of pitchers, but you can carry 12. Or 5 for that matter.

        Reply
        • Gwynning

          2 years ago

          Thank you for clarification Rox, I should have said 13 Maximum (on both pitchers and position players)… but FYI- you do have to carry 25 Minimum on your 26. (Max 13 ea., as we know.) Doubleheaders and make-up games get a 27th player which can be used for anyone on your 40 Man.

          Reply
  14. rarinaho1712

    2 years ago

    Brandon Crawford looks like Brendon Donovan’s brother

    2
    Reply
    • twopitchmix

      2 years ago

      Damn they really do

      Reply
    • Four4fore

      2 years ago

      More like his dad.

      Reply
  15. Brad Scott

    2 years ago

    Luv, luv, luv that the Cards & at least one other team want Brandon Crawford. Ignore the stats & analytics … he’s one of the best shortstops ever. Great player, great teammate. The Giants are the biggest losers by showing no interest in keeping him.

    2
    Reply
  16. Deez Cardinals

    2 years ago

    Seems to be the cardinal way these days. Lynn, carpenter, Crawford. Why not. Guess we could have spent tons of money built an all star team like the Dodgers!! But we both have one thing in common the Dodgers with that paid for lineup and the cards near retirement line up will both fail to win a World Series

    Reply
  17. CardsFan57

    2 years ago

    I hate this almost as much as the Carpenter signing. Fire the managers and coaches if they need washed up players to lead. I hate this narrative. There are younger teams in the league who aren’t worried about signing clubhouse leaders.

    1
    Reply
  18. User 4014041831

    2 years ago

    At a certain low price StL believes Crawford can be productive for maybe 350 ABs. Some players take care of their body better even at age 37.
    He could have been hiding an injury last year. They probably think he can help in a part/platoon role. (4 days a week)

    Reply
    • AHH-Rox

      2 years ago

      If Crawford gets 350 ABs it means Winn had a major injury. Cardinals would be hoping for more like 100.

      Reply
  19. Enrico Pallazzo

    2 years ago

    I’ll always remember all the good times and all his greasy greasy hair lol

    Reply
  20. Mike56

    2 years ago

    I thought rule was the max was 13 pitchers on roster but you don’t have to carry 13

    Reply

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