The Cardinals introduced as we speak that infielder Matt Carpenter has been reinstated from the injured record whereas fellow infielder Luken Baker has been recalled from Triple-A Memphis. In corresponding strikes, the membership optioned outfielder Jordan Walker and granted infielder Brandon Crawford his unconditional launch.
Crawford, 37, signed with the Cardinals within the offseason, a one-year cope with a modest $2MM wage. It appeared as if he was a little bit of veteran insurance coverage for rookie Masyn Winn, who the membership was planning to have as their on a regular basis shortstop. That was a wise transfer on the time, as Winn had simply 37 video games of main league expertise coming into the yr and hit simply .172/.230/.238 in these.
However right here in 2024, Winn has delivered on his prospect hype. He has 11 dwelling runs and a slash of .274/.324/.419, which interprets to a wRC+ of 108. His glovework has led to 11 Defensive Runs Saved and three Outs Above Common at shortstop, and he has additionally stolen 10 bases. His all-around contributions have led to FanGraphs crediting him with 2.8 wins above substitute, which is third amongst Nationwide League rookies, simply behind Jackson Merrill and Tyler Fitzgerald.
As Winn has been doing all of that, Crawford has hardly been used. Although he has been on the lively roster all season, he has solely appeared in 29 video games and has solely been despatched to the plate 80 instances. In that sporadic taking part in time, he has struck out at an uncharacteristic 32.5% price and slashed .169/.263/.282 for a wRC+ 58. Maybe it was tough for Crawford to get right into a groove with so little time within the lineup, however that tough efficiency is definitely not too far off from final yr, when he hit .194/.273/.314 for the Giants and produced a 62 wRC+.
Whatever the trigger, that efficiency from Crawford and the emergence of Winn have gotten him got rid of the roster. That may possible depart utility participant Brendan Donovan because the Cardinals’ backup for Winn on the shortstop place. Maybe Baker can provide a jolt to the lineup, as he has hit 32 dwelling runs in Triple-A this yr and walked at a 14.8% clip.
For Crawford, slightly than put him on waivers and be pressured to go wherever he’s claimed, the Playing cards have given him a little bit of company over his subsequent steps by releasing him as an alternative. His transient time in St. Louis will seemingly be destined to a future little bit of esoteric trivia for the Giants’ legend.
Any workforce may now signal Crawford for the prorated league minimal, with that quantity subtracted from what the Cardinals pay. The extent of curiosity is probably going tempered by his current string of poor outcomes, however he additionally has a prolonged observe report. Since debuting with the Giants again in 2011, he has just below 1700 video games of main league expertise with roughly league common offense and really robust defensive grades. Within the offseason, he appeared to at the very least give some thought to retiring earlier than getting the cope with the Playing cards, which may maybe be on the desk once more if he doesn’t get a tempting alternative within the coming weeks.
As for Walker, that is the most recent in his up-and-down remedy from the Playing cards. He was recalled simply over every week in the past with Carpenter touchdown on the IL and is now again to Memphis after getting one hit in 12 plate appearances whereas Carpenter was out.
Final yr, he rode a wave of pleasure to the membership’s 2023 Opening Day roster however his efficiency was inconsistent all year long. Although he was optioned for a spell final summer time, he was recalled and hit .277/.346/.455 from the beginning of June to the tip of the yr, resulting in a 119 wRC+.
However right here in 2024, he struggled out of the gate and was optioned earlier than the tip of April. His .257/.321/.426 batting line in Triple-A this yr results in a subpar 92 wRC+ however he nonetheless bought recalled to cowl for Carpenter briefly.
It’s an odd spot for him to be in as he’s nonetheless trying to correctly break by way of and cement himself on the main league stage however there’s a little bit of a ticking clock now. As a result of he burst onto the roster final yr however has been optioned in two straight seasons, he’ll have only one choice remaining after this one despite the fact that he’s solely 22 years outdated. If he exhausts his last choice subsequent yr, he may maybe be out of choices by 2026, which will likely be simply his age-24 season.
