Dodgers DFA Carl Crawford

Not letting a sunk cost of $35M get in the way of fielding a productive lineup, the Dodgers designated Carl Crawford for assignment on Sunday before the Braves game.

"It's one of those things where you look at the player, and Carl has had a great career, 14 years and had a lot of great moments," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I know he was proud to be a Dodger. He will be missed. What he brought to the club in terms of experience in postseason games, the impact he had on the young players and the veteran players, the experience he brought will be missed, certainly. But it's one of those things where father time I think catches up with everybody."

With the emergence of outfielder Trayce Thompson, Crawford had received little playing time of late, even as Yasiel Puig has been dealing with a hamstring injury. On Friday, the Dodgers reinstated outfielder Scott Van Slyke from the disabled list, while Howie Kendrick has spent significant time in left field this season.

Father time may catch up with everyone, but injuries kept Carl Crawford from being unable to outrun said father in the first place. Crawford played over 116 games in his first season with Los Angeles (2013), but it was downhill from there, with 105 games in 2014, 69 last year and only 30 this year. He had negative WAR the past two seasons.

Crawford was an all-star four seasons, all with Tampa Bay. By the time he got here, we were stuck with a Crawford that had a hamstring injury, sprained ankle, and torn oblique, among other ailments. $35M is a lot of money--maybe not so much for the Dodgers, but still--and with more fit guys able to suit up, it makes sense to start simplifying our outfield a bit.