Mariners sign Gold Glove shortstop J.P. Crawford to 5-year extension
Apr 8, 2022, 8:34 AM
Mariners SS J.P. Crawford is congratulated by manager Scott Servais after scoring a run at Oakland on Sept. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
The Mariners started opening day with good vibes for their future, announcing a five-year extension with 2020 American League Gold Glove shortstop J.P. Crawford on Friday morning.
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The deal is worth $51 million, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Crawford, 27, is now signed through 2026, which would be his age 31 season.
“J.P. brings excellent defense at a critical position, in addition to solid on-base skills and a penchant for delivering in the big moment,” Mariners general manager and president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said in a press release announcing the extension. “He’s an incredibly competitive player who has become an integral part of our team, both on the field and in the clubhouse.”
The Mariners traded for Crawford in a swap with the Phillies prior to the 2019 season, and he has blossomed both in the field and at the plate, especially in the past two seasons.
“Seattle is a special place for me, and I can’t wait to be a part of the team that brings a championship here,” Crawford said in the press release. “This place is going to be nuts when we do it. We all saw that last year. I’ve said before that I’m here to win, and we’re going to win for a long time. Let’s ride.”
Let’s ride 🌊🌊🌊
We have signed @jp_crawford to a 5-year contract extension. #SeaUsRise
🔗 https://t.co/VvF0EctwsS pic.twitter.com/g2UYaLt1WA
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 8, 2022
After winning the Gold Glove in 2020, Crawford continued to play stellar defense in 2021 while also making significant strides offensively. He slashed .273/.338/.376 for a .715 OPS with 89 runs, 37 doubles, nine home runs and 54 RBIs in 2021, serving mainly as the Mariners’ leadoff hitter during the team’s first 90-win season since 2003.
Crawford is expected to hit lower in the lineup this year following the offseason trade acquisition of All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier, but he remains a player the Mariners are committed to as they push to break a 20-year postseason drought. Despite a free agent class full of shortstop talent that the Mariners had some interest in, Dipoto and the Mariners publicly said following last season that Crawford would remain their shortstop regardless of any signings.
Crawford and the Mariners will open the MLB season at 1:10 p.m. Friday on the road against the Minnesota Twins. The game will be broadcast live on Seattle Sports 710 AM and streaming through SeattleSports.com, starting with the pregame show at noon.
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