Mariners should hear J.P. Crawford out even if his 2026 excuse doesn't land

It has been a whirlwind of emotions for Mariners fans and personnel over the past few days. Since the conclusion of the regular season, the organization has been cleaning house, getting rid of Dan Wilson along with a host of other notable members of their coaching staff, including Eric Young Jr. and Perry Hill.

Aside from these departures, the team will also be losing a few faces in free agency. Randy Arozarena will be the most painful statistical loss, but the end of J.P. Crawford's tenure will be the most emotional. Since 2026 wasn't the ideal way to end his outstanding eight-year run in Seattle, is there a chance that he and the organization can reunite for another year to make things right?

If the price is right, the Mariners shouldn't rule out signing another short-term contract with J.P. Crawford

Prior to the final game of the season, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times published an article that contained some reflections from Crawford on his time on the team. In addition to expressing gratitude for his experience in Seattle, he also discussed the limitations that held him to just 0.9 rWAR and a 99 OPS+ this year.

Crawford has dealt with wrist and shoulder issues all year, which likely contributed to him posting -12 Defensive Runs Saved as a shortstop, the worst of any player other than Trea Turner (-17). Once he returned to a clean bill of health in September, his numbers did tick upwards, especially at the plate where he posted a .777 OPS with an impressive .363 on-base percentage.

Sentimental value aside, there are still a few issues that make a reunion a tough sell. Crawford will be 32 years old at the start of next season, and the defensive demands of the shortstop position will only get more difficult as his physical abilities gradually decline with age.

He'll also have to compete with Colt Emerson, a spring chicken at just 21 years old, for playing time, a roster logjam that already caused issues this year. The Mariners tried solving this by moving Crawford over to third base, but a lack of arm strength will only limit him more at the hot corner. Furthermore, a hopefully healthy Brendan Donovan will already be manning that post.

There could be a world where Crawford instead signs a shorter, cheaper deal to be a utility piece for Seattle. The team has typically deployed the likes of Leo Rivas and Dylan Moore to handle this responsibility, so it's a roster piece Seattle does like to work with.

Of course, in order for that to happen, he'd have to decline offers from other teams that may be willing to pay him more money and give him more playing time. Even with his diminished 2026 results, he's still one of the best options on this year's shortstop market that has such compelling players as Mauricio Dubon and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. In fact, MLB Trade Rumors has Crawford listed as the top name of the class because of how weak the alternatives are.

The team won't extend him a qualifying offer, but they shouldn't shut the door on reuniting with their unofficial team captain. If the price is right and the chips fall in the right way, he could absolutely be a depth piece for this team next season.

Even if he has taken the field as a Mariner for the last time in his playing career, he'll surely be back for future reunions and events after he eventually retires. Either way, this isn't necessarily a goodbye forever, but more of a see you later.

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