Rockies trade C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk to Angels for pitching prospects
The Rockies have followed through on their pledge to add much-needed starting pitching depth.
On Sunday they acquired right-handed pitcher Jake Madden and left-handed pitcher Mason Albright from the Los Angeles Angels — the Angels’ No. 8 and No. 28 prospects, respectively, according to MLB.com — in exchange for first baseman C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk.
The Rockies are sending about $2 million cash to the Angels to complete the deal.
Both young pitchers will begin their Rockies careers at low-A Fresno.
Madden, 21, was selected by the Angels in the fourth round of the 2022 draft out of Northwest Florida State College. In his first professional season, the 6-foot-6-inch right-hander is 2-6 with a 5.46 ERA through 14 starts for Single-A Inland Empire.
Albright, 20, was selected out of IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) in the 12th round of the 2021 draft. The left-hander was 1-0 and did not allow a run through eight innings in the Arizona Complex League in 2021. He pitched at three levels of the Angels’ system in 2022. He made 15 appearances (14 starts) for Inland Empire this season, going 9-4 with a 3.62 ERA and 86 strikeouts.
“We scouted them during the draft and we’re familiar with how they have performed in the California League,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said. “We needed pitching, and I think it’s a good trade for both sides. The Angeles have had some injuries lately, so this trade fit their needs.”
Cron, 33, has appeared in 56 games with the Rockies this season, batting .260 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs. He missed about five weeks of play because of back spasms, before returning to the lineup in late June. Cron, Colorado’s lone All-Star in 2022, hit 57 home runs and drove in 194 runs across 2021 and 2022 when he emerged as a force in the heart of Colorado’s lineup.
Grichuk, 31, has appeared in 64 games this season, batting .308 with eight home runs and 27 RBIs. He missed the first month of the season while rehabbing from an offseason bilateral sports hernia surgery. He’s heated up recently, mashing six homers in his last 15 games. Both players were original draft picks of the Angels, Cron in 2011 and Grichuk in 2009.
“I think the world of C.J. and Randal, and they both did a good job for us here,” Schmidt said. “I appreciate everything those two guys did for us.”
The Angels (55-51) recently made it clear that they are holding onto superstar Shohei Ohtani, a pending free agent, signaling their intent to stay in the American League playoff race. Cron will likely play first base for the Angels, and Grichuk can play all three outfield positions. He played 26 games in left field, 20 in center and 13 in right for the Rockies this season.
Angels star center fielder Mike Trout is currently on the injured list after undergoing surgery July 5 to remove his fractured left hamate bone. The Angels also lost Taylor Ward to injury after he was hit by a pitch against the Blue Jays on Saturday. The Angels moved Ward to the 60-day injured list after the trade was announced.
The Angels have been busy beefing up their roster. They acquired starter Lucas Giolito and reliever Reynaldo Lopez from the White Sox earlier this week.
Cron, originally signed as a minor-league free agent, slashed .267/.337/.492 with 68 home runs and 226 RBIs through 348 games while wearing a Rockies uniform.
Colorado acquired Grichuk via trade in March 2022 from Toronto in exchange for outfielder Ramiel Tapia. In 204 career games for Colorado, the outfielder slashed .275/.321/.448 with 27 home runs and 100 RBIs.
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Source: The Denver Post
