Scottsdale, Ariz. — A stalwart of the franchise, Brandon Crawford looks around the SF Giants locker room and, once again, sees the result of plenty of changes in the offseason.
Of course, one of the much-publicized changes that didn’t happen for the San Francisco Giants was the near addition of Carlos Correa and the now-infamous drama that ensued after his signing was announced.
However, that’s all in the past. The present involves Crawford in a big way as the most-tenured Giants player prepares for what will be his 13th season as a member of the orange and black. Included in that run are a pair of World Series titles and four Gold Gloves. Also included in there are plenty of goodbyes from teammates, including the retirement of Buster Posey and the free-agent departures this offseason of Brandon Belt and Evan Longoria.
Brandon Crawford on being a veteran voice in the SF Giants clubhouse
Changes? Sure, but Crawford isn’t one of them. He’s not only remained as a key member of the team, but also as a steady presence as a veteran leader in the clubhouse.
“I haven’t really changed as a person or a teammate I don’t think at all over the years,” Crawford said on Friday before taking the field against the Colorado Rockies in a spring training game. “I mean, obviously you hate to see guys who you’ve played with for a long time go to other teams or retire, but that’s baseball. It happens. It happens every year with with team, but there are still plenty of guys here who have played at least a few years with me and we have great relationships.
“As far as the veteran role, I’m always here for the younger guys if they have questions about the game or about anything off the field. I’m always here to answer their questions. It’s not a big rah rah or bring up the team for a speech or anything like that kind of guy, but I’m definitely here for anybody who has any questions for me.”
Now 36, Crawford is looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2022 campaign that saw him slash .231/.308/.344 in 118 games, the fewest he has logged in a 162-game season since his rookie season of 2011. He will do it in a lineup that features Mitch Haniger and Michael Conforto, the biggest offseason signings at the plate for the Giants and moves that came in the wake of Correa’s change of scenery.
“The new guys, they have fit right in. They’re pros. They’re veterans,” Crawford said. “They’ve been around winning clubhouses and winning teams and they know what it takes to get the job done. I’m excited to see those guys with us.”
With Crawford’s contract up at the end of this season, his future is uncertain in San Francisco. However, in the present, Crawford is ready to lead the new-look Giants into what could be a very interesting season in the Bay Area.