If it’s possible to feel bad for a player and want him gone, then that’s exactly how I feel about now, almost, for former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford.
Finally, after a season-and-a-half of excruciating speculation, Crawford has lost his battle against the Dodgers’ glut of outfield depth. The club designated him for assignment on Sunday, and the 34 year old is a virtual lock to go unclaimed on waivers.
It’s also unlikely the Dodgers will be able to trade Crawford even if they foot the bill for most of his remaining salary. So, how will he be remembered?
For starters, he’ll be remembered as a major piece in one of the franchise’s biggest trades of all time. In August 2012, the Dodgers struck a deal with the Boston Red Sox that netted them Adrian Gonzalez, Crawford, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto in exchange for a pair of pitching prospects that haven’t panned out.
It was a move that was an injection of life into a franchise desperate for hope. Of course, the price of that hope was over $250 million in salary — much of which was owed to Crawford (he will have made over $100 million in the five years with Los Angeles).
While many will remember Crawford as the under-performing player with a bloated contract, it must be pointed out that he slashed an impressive .307/.356/.495 with 19 home runs and 47 stolen bases heading into free agency.
Of course, that was in 2010 — a full seven seasons before he’ll stop making $20-plus million a year. But even in Los Angeles, it wasn’t all bad with Crawford.
CONTINUE READING: Crawford’s time with Dodgers included some positives
