J.P. Crawford Getting Work At Third Base
MLB Trade Rumors • • sports
Key Points:
- Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford is experimenting with playing third base, an idea he proposed to manager Dan Wilson and received support from the team's management, including GM Justin Hollander.
- This positional flexibility aligns with the arrival of top prospect Colt Emerson, who is expected to become the Mariners' long-term shortstop as Crawford approaches free agency at season's end.
- Crawford's defensive performance at shortstop has declined recently, so moving to third base could enhance his versatility and marketability ahead of free agency.
- While Crawford has some prior experience at third base, the Mariners also have Brendan Donovan, currently on the injured list, who could return to that position, creating competition and depth for the hot corner.
- Despite a slow offensive start in 2026 with a .210 batting average, Crawford maintains a strong on-base percentage (.358) due to a high walk rate, and advanced metrics suggest his batting performance may improve soon.