Mariners reportedly sign J.P. Crawford to five-year, $51 million deal

The Seattle Mariners are the latest team to hand out a significant extension just before their first game of the 2022 MLB season. The team is reportedly securing shortstop J.P. Crawford on a five-year, $51 million deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Crawford, 27, has steadily improved since joining the Mariners in 2019. Considered a strong defender up the middle, Crawford developed into a solid hitter in 2021. He posted a .273/.338/.376 slash line, good for a 103 wRC+, meaning he was three percent better than the league average on offense. That's not an elite figure, but it is a big improvement from the 87 wRC+ Crawford posted in 2019.

Big things were expected of Crawford when he first reached the majors. Selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft, he was considered a consensus top-10 prospect in baseball before making his major-league debut in 2017. After two middling years with the Phillies, Crawford was shipped to Seattle in a deal for infielder Jean Segura.

J.P. Crawford looking to help Mariners to playoffs

Crawford has blossomed into a solid regular with more playing time in Seattle. If there's still improvement in Crawford's bat, the Mariners are getting him at a massive discount. As it stands, roughly $10 million per year for Crawford, who posted 3.1 fWAR in 2021, is the going rate for a solid major-league contributor.

With Crawford locked up, the Mariners will focus on getting back to the postseason after a lengthy absence. The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2001. After trading for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez, and signing Cy Young winner Robbie Ray in free agency, the Mariners look poised to finally break that streak.

Crawford should play a large role in that, even if his bat doesn't take another step forward.