St. Louis Cardinals announce shock release of Brandon Crawford from $2m deal as fuming fans beg him to return to Giants

SHORTSTOP Brandon Crawford’s release from the St. Louis Cardinals has caused a stir in the MLB world.

The three-time All-Star signed with St. Louis on a one-year, $2 million deal in February after a 13-year run with the San Francisco Giants .

Getty

Getty

Crawford, 37, logged .169/.263/.282 in sporadic appearances for the Cardinals, making just 28 appearances during the 2024 season.

He also had one home run and four RBIs.

MLB fans said the California native should have never left San Francisco, especially now that he’s found himself without a team.

“Should’ve just retired,” one posted on X.

“He belongs in SF, it’s hard to see him in any other uniform,” another added.

“Not the way his career should have ended but…” a third said.

“That’s too bad, but renews my theory that professional athletes should retire on their terms at the top of their game instead of hanging on and being kicked to the curb after joining another organization,” one wrote.

Crawford’s release came in a series of roster moves by the Cardinals on Tuesday.

St. Louis also optioned outfielder to Memphis in Triple-A while recalling infielder Luken Baker from the minor league affiliate team.

They also activated infielder Matt Carpenter from the injured list.

Crawford won the World Series twice during his time with the Giants.

The shortstop also claimed four Golden Glove awards and two Defensive Player of the Year honors.

He finished fourth in the National League MVP award just three years ago, at age 34.

Crawford said it wasn’t his decision to leave San Francisco.

Five key MLB rule changes in 2024

1. The pitch clock is reduced from 20 to 18 seconds with runners on base. It will remain at 15 seconds with bases empty.

2. When a pitching change is made, the innings timer will reset to 2:00 rather than 2:15 like it did last year.

3. Teams will only be allowed four mound visits per game in 2024, down from five last season.

4. Fielders and defenders blocking bases will be called for obstruction.

5. The runners’ lane from home plate to first base has been widened to include the dirt between the grass and the white line.

“The bottom line is I was not wanted back by the one person whose [opinion] matters,” he told The Athletic in May, referring to Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.

“So I went with a team that gave me a major-league contract.

“The Cardinals have a long history and tradition.

“I’ve admired and respected the way the Cardinals have played throughout my career and the way the organization has been run.

“But the bottom line is I wanted to come back to the Giants. That was obviously the ideal situation for me.”

Crawford slashed .250/.319/.396 in 13 years with the Giants.