The former Rays star has never been the same since leaving Tampa Bay after 2011, hitting just.185/.230/.235 in 30 games this season.
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In nine years with Tampa Bay, Crawford had a. 296 batting average, hit 104 homers, stole 50 or more bases five times and led the American League in triples on four occasions, topped by a career-high 19 in 2004. The Dodgers are responsible for paying the remainder of the deal.
Crawford never played more than 116 games in a season in a Dodgers uniform.
Hindered by injuries and the emergence of young outfielders Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson, and Trayce Thompson, Crawford has seen his role reduced in each of his four seasons in Los Angeles.
The Red Sox traded Crawford, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Nick Punto, offloading millions of dollars in salary, to Los Angeles for Rubby De La Rosa, Allen Webster, James Loney, Ivan DeJesus and Jerry Sands in August of 2012.
The Dodgers made a roster move on Sunday morning and it involves what has to be considered rock bottom for a highly-compensated player.
To replace Crawford on the active roster, the Dodgers recalled catcher/infielder Austin Barnes from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Crawford will now have to clear waivers before the Dodgers make the next decision about the veteran’s future.
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While Crawford is still owed roughly $35 million over the final year and a half of his guaranteed contract, the Dodgers are a major market team with one of the deepest payrolls in all of baseball. Barnes was batting. 306 at Oklahoma City.
