The St. Louis Cardinals opened Spring Training with Masyn Winn slotted to be their everyday starting shortstop. With the team trying to rebound from last year’s disastrous season finishing dead last in the NL Central the team is looking at all options to put the best team on the field for success this season. The team has signed 13-year Veteran Brandon Crawford today to be a depth piece to the roster. The signing has been reported, by Katie Woo of the Athletic. The details of the deal are unknown at this time.
SS – Brandon Crawford
The 37-year-old Veteran has spent his entire career playing for the San Fransico Giants and will look to add value from a bench spot for the Cardinals this season or perhaps step in if Masyn Winn stumbles out of the gate. Crawford played in 93 games last season for the Giants and struggled at the plate only hitting .194, with 11 doubles, one triple, seven home runs, and 38 RBIs. Crawford is still a defensive asset in the infield and has the glove to continue to play every day, it’s his bat recently over the last two years that has struggled. Last season he slashed .273/.314/.587 which isn’t great, but the left-handed defensive shortstop should provide solid depth off the bench for the Cardinals this season.
Summary
I still believe Maysn Winn deserves to be the everyday starting shortstop, but can see a situation where the Cardinals send him to AAA for the first month or two playing the service time game and allowing Crawford to start the season at Short. I believe either way, by Mid-May Winn is the everyday starter with Crawford playing a depth piece role from the bench. I like the signing, but not as much of a fan of it if they intend to send Winn down for any length of time, the kid is ready.
