TAMPA BAY TRADES FOR SLUGGER C.J. CRON
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired first baseman C.J. Cron from the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named later.
What does it give the Tampa Bay Rays
With slugger Logan Morrison now gone from Tampa Bay's lineup (due to free agency), the Rays were left heading into spring training without an established DH/first baseman. Enter Cron, who may prove to be a real steal here. A former first-round draft pick (No. 17 overall in 2011), Cron is a professional hitter with some untapped talent. While making contact has been an occasional struggle for him in the majors, Cron has legitimate middle-of-the-order power. Expect him to play regularly, either at DH or first base--where talented prospect Jake Bauers is coming.
What does it give the Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are expected to try a six-man starting rotation this season, and that leaves them with one fewer bench spot for a batter. With Albert Pujols, Luis Valbuena and (possibly) Shohei Otani expected to share first base and designated hitter duties in 2018, Cron became the odd man out (mostly because he does not have much in the way of positional versatility in the field).
Fantasy impact
Cron is suddenly a player worth keeping track of for most fantasy leagues in 2018. While he still must show he can hit for a good batting average, his power is proven and he is in his prime as a player. Do not be surprised if Cron takes the Rays' first base job and runs with it this season. There is no fantasy fallout on the Angels side of this deal.
