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Jeff Passan ESPN
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- ESPN MLB insider
Author of The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports
Shortstop JP Crawford and Seattle have agreed on a five-year, $51 million deal that will keep a key member of the rising Mariners with the organization during his prime, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN.
The 27-year-old Crawford has emerged as one of baseball’s best defensive shortstops and is a staple starting spot for the Mariners, who narrowly missed the postseason last year and are expected to compete in the American League West for the foreseeable future.
Seattle has viewed him as their shortstop of the future since acquiring him from the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019, where Crawford came on as a highly acclaimed prospect. This is supported by the commitment in the deal, which runs until 2026.
The Mariners bought two years of free agency with the contract, which will pay Crawford $5 million this year — slightly more than the $4.85 million he was previously expected to earn — and includes a $5 million signing bonus. Crawford is due $10 million a year from 2023 to 2025 before getting $11 million in the deal’s final season.
With limited long-term contracts on the books, the Mariners have significant financial flexibility if they want to build to 2021. They’ll start the season with Julio Rodriguez, one of the most touted prospects in the game, on their Opening Day roster and the additions of reigning AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray and hitter Jesse Winker, as well as a full season of hard-throwing right-hander Logan Gilbert have made the Mariners a trendy choice and a team capable of winning their first World Series.
Crawford helped turnaround in 2021, hitting .273/.338/.376 with 46 extra base hits and playing a superlative defense a year after winning a Gold Glove. While his strikeout rate has increased over the past year, his keen eye for the plate and strong stick-to-ball skills make up for a relative lack of power.
With Rodriguez, Winker, Jarred Kelenic, Mitch Haniger, Ty France and more, the Mariners don’t necessarily have to rely on Crawford’s racquet. But an offensive uptick is possible, as Crawford’s nine homers last season are a career highlight.