ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis Cardinals infield depth has been a question mark to begin Spring Training. Particularly at shortstop.
While Cardinals top prospect Masyn Winn is seemingly etched as the starting option at shortstop, the lack of reliable depth options after him has been question mark, with Jeremy Rivas and Jose Fermin getting reps at shortstop so far in Spring Training. Rivas, set to turn 21 on March 4, only reached High A+ last season, while Fermin only played eight games at short last season in the minors.
Tommy Edman would seemingly be seen as a depth option at shortstop, but Edman is currently set to be the team's primary centerfielder, and he is still recovering from offseason right wrist surgery that has sidelined to where he is unable to swing the bat and put his status for Opening Day in serious doubt.
The lack of depth options has left the Cardinals scrambling to find one at shortstop and they find that option in a former Cardinals nemesis in Brandon Crawford, who officially signed with the team Tuesday on a one-year deal worth $2 million.
In a corresponding move, the Cardinals announced they have designated infielder Buddy Kennedy for assignment to make room for Crawford on the 40-man roster.
Crawford arrived at the Cardinals complex in Jupiter, Florida and took grounders Tuesday at the complex's half fields, according to St. Louis Post Dispatch Cardinals beat writer Derrick Goold.
San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser was the first to link Crawford with the Cardinals after the San Francisco Giants signed shortstop Nick Ahmed Monday. She also had contract details.
Crawford spent all his career with the Giants, winning two World Series, four Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger in his 13-year tenure with the Giants while also appearing in three All-Star Games.
The last two seasons have been rough for Crawford, who has only appeared in 211 games combined, stemming from dealing with various injuries, including being forced to go on the injured list four times last season.
Despite the injuries, Crawford still posted solid defensive metrics at short, with Crawford posting six Outs Above Average last season, according to Baseball Savant.
Adding Crawford not only helps the Cardinals have a safety net option at shortstop, but the signing continues to add to the Cardinals trend this winter of adding experienced vets to the locker room, a trend that the Cardinals as an important need this offseason.
Winn will seemingly start the season as the club's Opening Day shortstop, but if he struggles or faces an injury that forces him to be on the injured list, expect Crawford to easily slot in if necessary.