Angels Acquire C.J. Cron, Randal Grichuk From Colorado Rockies

The Los Angeles Angels took another step in their pursuit to build a complete roster after acquiring infielder C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Colorado Rockies.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian and the Rockies finalized the deal on Sunday night, fortifying their growing number of right-handed bats. In exchange for Cron and Grichuk, the Angels sent left-handed pitcher Mason Alright and right-hander Jake Madden.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Angels placed Taylor Ward on the 60-day injured list and designated infielder Kevin Paldo for assignment.

The Angels reunite with Cron, who was originally drafted by the club with the 17th overall pick in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft out of Utah. Making his debut for the team in 2014, he’d go on to play in parts of 408 games.

The 33-year-old has continued to slug with the Rockies, posting a .780 on-base plus slugging in 208 at-bats. He has been a force as of late, carrying a 1.107 OPS following the All-Star break.

Grichuk, garnered a lot of interest around MLB, mainly for his bat and ability to play each spot in the outfield. Since the All-Star break, he has a 1.118 OPS with eight home runs and 27 RBI.

Also, a former Angels draft pick in the 2009 Draft out of Lamar Consolidated HS (Rosenberg, TX), Grichuk has had a fine career. In his time with the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Rockies, he owns a .251 lifetime batting average with 218 doubles, 25 triples, 183 home runs and 539 RBI across 1,088 games.

The pair will play a heavy role in the Angels’ continued push for the postseason.

Who did the Angels give up for Cron and Grichuk?

Albright, 20-year-old pitcher still playing in Low-A Inland Empire, has pitched in parts of three seasons in Minor League ball. In 2023, he’s posted a 3.62 ERA in 79.2 innings across 15 games (14 starts).

Madden was a recent selected in the 2022 Draft out of Northwest Florida State College. He owns a 2-6 record and a 5.46 ERA in 14 starts for Low-A Inland Empire. He ranked at different spots depending on which system you follow, Baseball America had him rated as the Angels’ 21st prospect, while MLB Pipeline had him as their eighth-best farmhand.