C.J. Cron. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox take flier on former All-Star slugger

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 3/1/24

The Boston Red Sox are taking a flier on a former All-Star slugger.

The Red Sox and C.J. Cron agreed to terms on a one-year deal pending a physical. It’s a minor league deal.

According to Boston Globe Red Sox reporter Alex Speier, the deal calls for Cron to earn $2 million if he makes the MLB roster, with the potential to earn $500,000 in performance bonuses.

CJ Cron will make a $2M base salary if he’s added to the Red Sox roster, with the potential for up to $500,000 in performance bonuses.

— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) March 1, 2024

The 34-year-old first baseman began his career with the Los Angeles Angels and showed immediate power while splitting time at first and DH. He popped a career-high 30 home runs for the Rays in 2018. He slugged 28 homers for the Rockies in 2021 and 29 in 2022. He was named an All-Star for Colorado in 2022.

Cron was having another solid season with the Rockies last season before being re-acquired by the Angels in a trade. Cron batted .260 with a .780 OPS over 56 games with Colorado last season. He batted just .200 in 15 games with the Angels. He will likely compete with Bobby Dalbec for a spot off Boston’s bench.

Cron historically has hit very well at Fenway Park.

CJ Cron is hitting .328 with 3 doubles, 6 HR and 13 RBI in his career at Fenway Park.

Here’s a throwback, 8 years ago in 2016 where he had a 2-HR performance at Fenway. pic.twitter.com/QubTsbLUk9

— G.G. (@ggeiss_mlb) March 1, 2024