Red Sox Reportedly Sign Former All-Star Slugger To Add Organizational Competition

The Boston Red Sox have been looking for a new right-handed slugger and seem to have found one.

Boston has been linked to a handful of players but has continued to miss out as players signed elsewhere. The Red Sox have finally gotten a deal done and reportedly have signed one-time All-Star C.J. Cron to a minor league deal, according to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo.

"The Red Sox have dipped into free agency to add some competition to their group of position players before Opening Day," Cotillo said. "Boston has agreed to a minor league contract with veteran first baseman C.J. Cron, a source said Friday morning. Additional details remain unknown. Cron is expected to join the team in Fort Myers in the coming days."

Cron is a 10-year big league veteran and earned his lone All-Star nod as a member of the Colorado Rockies in 2022. During that season, Cron launched 29 home runs, drove in 102 runs, and slashed .257/.315/.468 in 150 games played. 

The 34-year-old dealt with injuries in 2023 and appeared in just 56 games with Colorado before being traded to the Los Angeles Angels. Overall, he appeared in just 71 games last season and clubbed 12 home runs, and drove in 37 runs. 

It's unclear exactly what role Cron will play with Boston, but it seems like he will be competing for a bench role. Triston Casas has first base locked up and Masataka Yoshida is expected to see plenty of time as the club's designated hitter.

If Cron can make the Red Sox's big league roster, he likely will see time in both spots, but it's unclear how much.