Brandon Crawford, synonymous with the San Francisco Giants for his entire career, faces a significant change this season as he joins the St. Louis Cardinals.
The decision to depart from San Francisco didn’t come easily for the veteran shortstop. Having spent an impressive 13 seasons with the Giants, Crawford expressed his desire to continue with them in 2024. However, as he revealed to The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly, the front office had different plans.
Crawford expressed his sentiments, stating, “The bottom line is I was not wanted back by the one person whose opinion matters,” referring to Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.
He acknowledged that his preference was to remain with the Giants, given his longstanding connection with the team. Yet, faced with an offer from the Cardinals, Crawford opted for a fresh start, signing a one-year, $2 million deal.
Despite his willingness to adapt and contribute in various capacities, including mentoring rookie shortstop Marco Luciano, Crawford’s tenure with the Giants came to a close with the Cardinals deal.
Even after receiving the offer from St. Louis, Crawford and his agent extended a final opportunity to the Giants. However, Zaidi’s offer, which implied Crawford could vie for a roster spot as a non-roster invitee, signaled the definitive end of his time with the Giants.
Although Crawford has been a stalwart presence in the Giants’ infield, earning three Golden Gloves and aiding in two World Series victories, his performance has seen a decline in recent seasons. His statistics notably dipped in the last two years, with 2023 marking one of his least productive seasons.
Now, Crawford faces a new challenge in St. Louis, where he will assume an unfamiliar role. St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak clarified that second-year player Masyn Winn will retain the starting shortstop position for the upcoming season, with Crawford poised to provide veteran guidance from the sidelines.
