St. Louis Cardinals Sign Brandon Crawford

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed shortstop Brandon Crawford to a one-year contract, worth $2 million. Crawford, 37, hit .194 with 31 runs, 55 hits, 11 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs, 38 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 28 walks with the San Francisco Giants in 2023. 

Crawford helped the Giants in the World Series 2 times: (2012, and 2014). Crawford has been an All-Star 3 times: (2015, 2018, and 2021). Crawford won a Silver Slugger Award in 2015. Crawford has also won the Gold Glove Award 4 times: (2015, 2016, 2017, and 2021). 

Crawford has his best season in 2021. That season, Crawford hit .298 with 79 runs, 144 hits, 30 doubles, 3 triples, 24 home runs, 90 RBI's, 11 stolen bases, and 56 walks. The batting average, runs, hits, home runs, RBI's, and stolen bases were all career highs for Crawford. 

In 2015, Crawford had a career high 33 doubles. Crawford had career highs in both triples (11) and walks (57) in 2016. 

To make room for Crawford on the 40-man roster, the Cardinals have designated second baseman/third baseman Buddy Kennedy for assignment.

Overall, Crawford has played 13 seasons in the MLB. Crawford has played 1,654 games with 669 runs, 1,392 hits, 290 doubles, 44 triples, 146 home runs, 744 RBI's, 47 stolen bases, 536 walks, and a .250 batting average. 

It will be interesting to see if Crawford has anything left in him. I think if healthy, Crawford could be a good backup for the Cardinals. Crawford should also be able to help Masyn Winn, too. 

 

St. Louis Cardinals Sign Keynan Middleton

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed RHP Keynan Middleton to a one-year contract, worth $6 million. The contract also includes a team option for 2025, worth $5 million or a $1 million buyout. Middleton, 30, was 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA, 51 games, 5 holds, 2 saves, 50.2 innings, 64 strikeouts, and 23 walks combined between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees in 2023. The strikeouts were a career high for Middleton. The ERA was also a career best for Middleton. 

Middleton had his best season in 2017, with the Los Angeles Angels. That season, Middleton was 6-1 with a 3.86 ERA, 64 games, 10 holds, 3 saves, 58.1 innings, 63 strikeouts, and 18 walks. The wins, games, holds, and innings were all career highs for Middleton. In 2018, Middleton had a career high 6 saves. 

To make room for Middleton on the roster, the Cardinals have designated RHP Guillermo Zuniga for assignment.

Overall, Middleton has played 7 seasons in the MLB. Middleton is 10-8 with a 3.84 ERA, 205 games, 1 start, 23 holds, 15 saves, 194.1 innings, 199 strikeouts, 85 walks, and a whip of 1.34. 

Middleton should be a good addition for the Cardinals bullpen. It's also good that the contract is for one-year, because the Cardinals haven't had much success lately when they give a long-term contract to a free agent reliever. Middleton is reunited with former White Sox teammate starting pitcher Lance Lynn. 

My guess is the Cardinals are probably done with signings after Middleton, but it would be nice if they added one more bullpen arm or another good starting pitcher. If I had to rate the Cardinals offseason moves, I'd give them a B- overall. On paper, the pitching looks improved.