J.P. Crawford Could Fill the Angels’ Second-Base Hole
On November 3, the Angels were urged to pursue free-agent infielder J.P. Crawford to address their second-base vacancy and improve their lineup depth.
The Angels face a major infield rebuild after losing 100 games, and second base remains an unsettled position. Oswald Peraza and Vaughn Grissom have had chances to claim the everyday role, but neither has established himself as the answer. One proposed solution is J.P. Crawford, a free agent after several seasons with the Seattle Mariners and a familiar opponent in the American League West.
Crawford has mainly played shortstop and third base, but could move to second. The Long Beach native is presented as a dependable hitter and a respected clubhouse presence who might also help improve the team’s culture. Across the past six seasons, he recorded a 110 wRC+. In 2026, he posted a 105 wRC+ and a .335 on-base percentage, drawing 64 walks in 116 games. His career on-base percentage is .340.
The case for Crawford also rests on the Angels’ need to reach base more often. The team struck out more than any other in the league, and a patient left-handed hitter could add traffic for the middle of the order. A projected two-year, $20 million contract would make him a relatively affordable veteran option, while leaving resources available for bullpen additions and giving prospects more time to develop. Crawford has no qualifying offer attached, so signing him would cost the Angels money rather than a draft pick.