Every year, or at least every year since 2012, we’ve taken some time after the season was over to look at the past 162 games through the lens of the players that played them (and the management that was in charge of them). Last year, the Exit Interview series spent less time digging into splits and finding numerical oddities and more time reflecting on the player and their season. It was a style that seemed to work so we’re going to bring it back again this year. The legendary cardinalsgifs is back to bring us excellent series art, so it’s all downhill after you see that!
Player: Brandon Crawford
Stats: 28 G, 80 PA, 5 R, 5 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .169/.263/.282, -0.4 bWAR
Statcast: 6.7% barrel, 37.8% sweet spot, 108.4 max exit velocity, .248 wOBA, .274 xwOBA, 32.5 K%, 10.0 BB%
Grade: D
The Crawford signing didn’t make sense when it happened and turned out to be a move that didn’t really make a difference at all. It was almost like John Mozeliak had always like Crawford and, finally getting a chance, put him on the team just because Mo could sign him. Sure, there was the idea that he’d mentor Masyn Winn, but Winn was already getting a ton of shortstop knowledge from Ozzie Smith and while that might not have been daily, that connection was likely to be more important. With Tommy Edman hurt there was a need for a backup shortstop, but Jose Fermin could have covered it better offensively and defensively, especially as little as was going to be necessary. If you don’t also have Matt Carpenter on the team, maybe it makes more sense, but you did so it didn’t.
Crawford didn’t make the season, getting waived in late August, but he seemed to truly enjoy the experience of being in the Cardinal organization. It’s always nice to hear that, especially from someone that had spent their entire career somewhere else. I’m sure he did give Winn some pointers and it extended his career a little bit, but there’s nothing that stands out from his time in St. Louis and we’ll probably only remember him because of the incongruity of the longtime Giant wearing the birds on the bat.
What’s in store for 2025: Crawford is done with his playing career, though it wouldn’t be a surprise if he found another job in baseball. I’m sure the Giants could make him a special assistant to new president of baseball operations Buster Posey. He might just want to stay home, though, and I wouldn’t blame him at all.
