The $20 million backup: Carl Crawford not upset about current role

(AP Photo/Matt York) Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford may have just become the expensive backup in the majors. With Andre Ethier starting in left field, Crawford and his $21 million salary have been relegated to the bench.

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Despite the money involved, Crawford is mostly OK with the decision, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

“They told me there will be a lot of at-bats for me, but ‘Dre starts, and he’s earned it,” said Crawford, who went 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs in Sunday’s 5-2 win over the Giants.

“I’ll get spot starts and be ready to pinch-hit for the pitcher a lot. That’s pretty much it — just be ready to come off the bench.

Obviously, Crawford would like to play more, but he understands the team’s decision.

“I want to play, but I understand I put myself in this situation, so I knew it could happen,” said Crawford. “I’m not in position to argue with them. Right now, I do what’s asked of me and keep trying to improve myself and be sharp and ready to play when my number is called.”

Since joining the team in 2013, Crawford has posted decent numbers, hitting .286/.328/.414 over 1,032 plate appearances, but injuries and a crowded outfield have limited how much he’s been able to play. Crawford was limited to just 69 games in 2015 due to a torn oblique injury. By the time Crawford was able to return, Ethier had assumed the starting spot.

With that in mind, the news that Crawford will begin the season on the bench shouldn’t come as a major surprise. It is interesting, however, that Crawford has responded by acknowledging the situation and not complaining about his current role.

The Dodgers have developed a bit of a reputation for having strong personalities on the club in recent years, but the club has tried to get rid of some of those players. Crawford could have thrown a fit about the news and caused an issue for new manager Dave Roberts, but instead chose to take it in stride.

If Crawford can stay healthy and perform well, it’s possible he could work his way into more playing time. That might seem unlikely without a trade, though. He and Ethier are both left-handed, so they can’t really platoon in left. And Crawford is unlikely to play over Joc Pederson or Yasiel Puig. The club also has to find time for Andy Van Slyke and Enrique Hernandez, both of who can play in the outfield and are right-handed.

Despite all those issues, Crawford is saying all the right things for now. That might become a bigger concern if he starts to produce in his limited role, but that’s a problem for another day.

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For now, Crawford’s attitude gives the Dodgers one fewer thing to worry about heading into the regular season. That has to be a positive for Roberts and the new coaching staff.

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