© John Hefti | 2021 Aug 16
After the Giants’ 7-5 win over the Mets Monday night, Gabe Kapler, Buster Posey, Kevin Gausman and Kris Bryant were all on the same page on one particular topic: they believe shortstop Brandon Crawford should be in National League Most Valuable Player consideration.
The fans agreed, too. After Crawford’s seventh inning stand-up triple off the arcade wall, the Oracle Park fans showered him with M-V-P chants.
“We have the best fans in baseball,” Crawford told reporters postgame. “To hear stuff like that, is a nice feeling.”
Crawford on the MVP chant he received Monday night
“We have the best fans in baseball. To hear stuff like that, is a nice feeling.” pic.twitter.com/FiMyYTn6U4
— KNBR (@KNBR) August 17, 2021
Crawford’s triple was his fourth hit in four plate appearances on Monday night. He hadn’t gone 4-for-4 in a game since 2018, when he did it twice during his second All-Star campaign. Crawford, 34, entered the Mets series hitting .298 in 2021 and hit the showers with a .306 batting average. The three-time gold glover remains as key as anyone in the Bay to the Giants’ 2021 campaign.
“He definitely should be right in the (MVP) conversation,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “He’s just been good on both sides of the ball all year long. Very consistent. Very dependable. Driving the ball. Extra bases. Singles, big moments. He’s come up huge for us time and time again. I’m biased, I see him every day, but I definitely think he belongs in this conversation.”
On Monday, Crawford slapped two singles into right field off Mets starter Rich Hill. Both came off curveballs from the southpaw breaking away from Crawford, but he was able to get his bat around them anyway. He added a single off Mets reliever Jeurys Familia before the late-game triple capped his four-hit evening.
Crawford said his approach tonight wasn’t any different than any other game. He revamped his swing in 2020, choosing to open up his stance more while keeping his hands more calm and holding the bat more upright. The results have been stunning, especially this year.
The Bay Area native’s .917 OPS would be a career-high if the season ended today. His .306 average is currently fifth in the National League among qualified hitters. In surveying multiple BBWAA members who have voted on the MVP award in the past, Crawford has come up as a contender, at least in the mix in the upper echelon of candidates.
“I mean, his offensive numbers are outstanding,” catcher Buster Posey said. “His defense is probably still underrated. A guy that’s really hit in a lot of different parts in the lineup. Been clutch. You could definitely see that (MVP) being a possibility.”
Crawford’s 2021 explosion earned him a two-year, $32 million contract extension. In an impending offseason in which several crucial pieces — Posey, Kris Bryant, Kevin Gausman, Anthony DeScalfini and Brandon Belt, among others — on the roster hit free agency, keeping Crawford in the clubhouse could possibly set the tone for others.
Bryant, who’s represented by Scott Boras, didn’t rule out signing an extension during the remainder of the season, saying he’s always been open to listening to these types of conversations. “I run the show,” he said in response to a question about Boras, who’s known to steer his clients to hit free agency and sign for top dollar.
So while Crawford’s impact on the 2021 team has been clear, his decision to sign and value to the clubhouse going forward may be intangible.
“To be able to get a couple of these guys back would be awesome,” Crawford said. “I would definitely love that. It would be big for our team.”