Carl Crawford, bench player: “I want to play, but I understand I put myself in this situation”

Carl Crawford is a 34-year-old four-time All-Star with two seasons remaining on a $142 million contract, but he’s slated to be a backup for the Dodgers and seems at peace with his limited role.

Crawford has been informed by rookie manager Dave Roberts that Andre Ethier will be the Dodgers’ starting left fielder, telling Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

They told me there will be a lot of at-bats for me, but ‘Dre starts, and he’s earned it. I’ll get spot starts and be ready to pinch-hit for the pitcher a lot. That’s pretty much it--just be ready to come off the bench. I want to play, but I understand I put myself in this situation, so I knew it could happen. I’m not in position to argue with them. Right now, I do what’s asked of me and keep trying to improve myself and be sharp and ready to play when my number is called.

That’s basically the ideal quote any team would want to see from any player in this situation. Crawford wants to play more and will be ready to do so if needed, but in the meantime he understands the situation and won’t make a stink about losing at-bats to Ethier. And odds are the Dodgers will need him plenty this season anyway.

Crawford hit .265 with four homers and a .707 OPS in 69 games last season and has a .742 OPS overall in three years with the Dodgers. He’s certainly still good enough to be a starter on plenty of teams, but few teams have as much quality depth as the Dodgers.

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