Seattle Mariners J.P. Crawford will be the team’s shortstop for the next five years. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Crawford agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $51 million. He previously agreed to a one-year, $4.85 million deal for 2022. Instead, the deal starts this year, and it buys out the rest of the arbitration years and two-free agent years. Furthermore, Crawford will receive a $5 million signing bonus which will pay him that same amount this year. Then, he’ll earn $10 million each year from 2023 to 2025 and $11 million in 2026.
Shortstop J.P. Crawford and the Seattle Mariners are in agreement on a five-year, $51 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Deal will start this year and buys out two free agent seasons. Crawford, 27, is an elite defender whose bat has steadily improved.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 8, 2022
Mariners J.P. Crawford Extension
What This Means for Seattle
Since Crawford was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019, he’s emerged as an elite defender at his position. Big things were expected of Crawford. He’s served as the starting shortstop and hasn’t disappointed. In three seasons, he has a 14 Rdrs, winning the 2020 Gold Glove Award thanks to his strong arm. Aside from his stellar defense, Crawford is a disciplined hitter. He posted a 3.8 WAR while helping lead the Mariners to push for a playoff berth in 2021, slashing .273/.338/.376 with a career-high 169 hits.
The extension is further proof that the Mariners love him despite being aggressive in adding talent in the offseason. Mariners J.P. Crawford will play a large role for Seattle for the next few years. The Mariners did themselves have a good offseason despite not landing big-name talent. They signed Robbie Ray and then traded for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez. It’s also an example of the Mariners securing their young players to extensions.
Evan White and Marco Gonzales are locked up, and they’ll likely do the same with Logan Gilbert and Jarred Kelenic. The Mariners have had good seasons over the last few years, and they’re capable of making the playoffs. With Winker, Kelenics, Julio Rodríguez, and more, Crawford’s job is secured with the new deal.
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Players Mentioned
J.P. Crawford, Robbie Ray, Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suárez, Evan White, Marco Gonzales, Logan Gilbert , Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodríguez
