The San Francisco Giants are signing All-Star shortstop Brandon Crawford to a $32 million contract extension, retaining a franchise icon through the 2023 season.
Crawford, age 34, was set to become one of the top MLB free agents this winter. Instead, the California native will stay with the franchise he grew up rooting for as a kid.
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic reported it’s a two-year deal worth $32 million. The All-Star shortstop will make $16 million in each of his next two seasons.
- Brandon Crawford stats (2021): .296/.364/.540, 19 home runs, 69 RBIs, .904 OPS
Entering the 2021 season, many believed this would be Crawford’s last in San Francisco. He struggled in the past two years, posting just a .654 OPS in 2019 and a .792 OPS in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
But adjustments made this offseason have sparked a resurgence for the veteran. Crawford leads all shortstops in SLG (.540) and OPS (.904). He also ranks fourth in Fangraphs’ WAR (3.8), batting average (.296) and Defensive Runs Saved (seven).
A three-time All-Star and Gold Glove Award recipient, Crawford will pursue his third World Series title with the Giants in the postseason.
