The Rise and Fall of Carl Crawford in a Red Sox Jersey

Introduction

Carl Crawford, once heralded as one of the most dynamic players in Major League Baseball, had a tumultuous tenure with the Boston Red Sox. Known for his exceptional speed, defensive prowess, and all-around offensive capabilities, Crawford’s stint in Boston was marked by high expectations and disappointing outcomes.

Career Overview

Crawford began his MLB career with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he established himself as an elite player before signing a seven-year, $142 million contract with the Red Sox prior to the 2011 season.

Statistics with the Boston Red Sox

During his time with the Red Sox from 2011 to 2012, Crawford’s performance did not meet the lofty expectations set by his previous achievements.

Regular Season Statistics – Red Sox (2011-2012)

Batting Average (BA): .289
On-base Percentage (OBP): .322
Slugging Percentage (SLG): .422
On-base Plus Slugging (OPS): .744
Home Runs (HR): 15
Runs Batted In (RBI): 65
Stolen Bases (SB): 23
Games Played: 130

Career Statistics Overview

For context, here are Carl Crawford’s overall career statistics through the end of the 2021 season:

Batting Average (BA): .290
On-base Percentage (OBP): .333
Slugging Percentage (SLG): .464
On-base Plus Slugging (OPS): .797
Home Runs (HR): 113
Runs Batted In (RBI): 588
Stolen Bases (SB): 480

Advanced Sabermetrics

Looking at Crawford’s advanced sabermetric numbers during his time with the Red Sox:

WAR (Wins Above Replacement)

2011 WAR: 2.5
2012 WAR: 0.6
Overall Red Sox WAR: 3.1
MLB Average for Position Players (2011-2012): 2.0

wOBA (Weighted On-base Average)

2011 wOBA: .335
2012 wOBA: .317
MLB Average wOBA (2011): .320
MLB Average wOBA (2012): .318

Defensive Metrics

Crawford was known for his defensive skills, typically playing left field during his time with the Red Sox. His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) isn’t applicable, but we can look at UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating):

2011 UZR: +8.3
2012 UZR: +1.9
MLB Average UZR for Outfielders: 0.0 (baseline)

Challenges and Decline

Crawford’s time with the Red Sox was marred by injuries that significantly impacted his performance. After undergoing surgery on his wrist during the offseason after 2012, he struggled to regain his form. The combination of injuries and the pressure of a large contract took a toll on his game, leading to his eventual trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012.

Conclusion

Carl Crawford’s journey with the Boston Red Sox is a classic tale of unfulfilled promise. While he initially showcased his talents, injuries and performance issues ultimately overshadowed his time in Boston. His story serves as a reminder of the volatility of player careers in Major League Baseball and the challenges athletes face in meeting expectations.