Brandon Crawford has spent his entire career with the San Fransico Giants, but this season the veteran shortstop will join the St. Louis Cardinals.
The move to leave San Fransico wasn't his first choice. He spent 13 seasons with the Giants and wanted to remain with them in 2024, but the front office had other plans, he told The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly.
"The bottom line is I was not wanted back by the one person whose (opinion) matters," said Crawford, referring to Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi. "So I went with a team that gave me a major-league contract. The Cardinals have a long history and tradition. I've admired and respected the way the Cardinals have played throughout my career and the way the organization has been run.
"But the bottom line is I wanted to come back to the Giants. That was obviously the ideal situation for me."
According to Baggarly, Crawford met with Zaidi in November and expressed his interest in remaining with the team. He told Zaidi he was even willing to take on a different role on the field while mentoring rookie shortstop Marco Luciano.
Ultimately, Crawford's time in San Francisco came to an end when he signed with the Cardinals on a one-year, $2 million deal.
After Crawford received his offer from the Cardinals, he and his agent, Joel Wolfe, gave the Giants a final chance to keep him around. Zaidi's offer to Crawford ultimately closed the door on his return.
"I was told I could earn the last spot on the roster like anyone else could as a non-roster invitee," Crawford said. "That was the nail in the coffin."
While Crawford has been one of the Giants' top infielders for most of his career, winning three Golden Gloves—his latest in 2021—and helping them win two World Series, his numbers have dipped over the last two seasons. Last year, he had one of the worst statistical years of his career, hitting .194 with 55 hits, seven home runs and 38 RBI.
Now, Crawford will look to round out his career with the Cardinals in an unfamiliar role. St. Lous general manager John Mozeliak said that second-year player Masyn Winn will remain the Cardinals' starting shortstop this season, with Crawford around to offer some veteran guidance.
