Angels Acquire C.J Cron and Randal Grichuk

Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images

July 31, 2023

The Los Angeles Angels continue their buying mentality this trade deadline, acquiring C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk from the Colorado Rockies. Earlier this week, the Angels received Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Catcher Edgar Quero and pitcher Ky Bush. Both are high prospects for the Angels. Angels owner Arturo Moreno has decided to push the chips in for a playoff push. On an expiring contract, Shohei Ohtani was looked at by other teams on the trade market; however, the Angels have decided to take him off the market.

BREAKING: The Angels are acquiring OF Randal Grichuk and 1B C.J. Cron from the Rockies, per source. Colorado gets back RHP Jake Madden and LHP Mason Albright.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 31, 2023

C.J. Cron:

The newest member of the Angels, C.J. Cron, is looking to add some good hitting for the Angels in this deal. On July 27, the Angels DFA’d first baseman Jared Walsh, a 2021 All-Star, after the Giolito trade. Walsh was batting .119 (8-for-67), significantly decreasing from his .277 in 2021. The Angels look to replace Walsh with former Angel C.J. Cron. Cron was drafted by the Angels in 2011, and was an All-Star in 2022. He adds another formidable bat to the order and helps from the first baseman position. Cron is slashing .259/.300/.473. In the last ten games, Cron is hot, slashing .296/.326/.591, and has added four homers in 11 games. He becomes a free agent in 2024. He will try to help the Angels, who are four games back from a wild card spot.

Randal Grichuk:

Randal Grichuk was selected one pick before Mike Trout in the 2009 Draft. The 31-year old is a free agent in 2024, with an outstanding season for his career. Grichuk is slashing .308/.365/.496 this season, with career highs in average and OBP. Grichuk has a .9 WAR this season. The former Cardinals and Blue Jays outfielder, Grichuk, has played every single position in the outfield this year. The Angels get more depth with this move, with a .300 hitter this season. The Angels rank eighth in batting average this season. With Taylor Ward now on the 60-day IL, the Angels adding Grichuk hopefully replaces Ward’s bat with a suitable replacement.

Jake Madden:

Jake Madden, the 2022 fourth-rounder, is the No. 8 prospect for the Angels. The Single-A player has started fourteen games for Inland Empire. In 64 1/3 IP, the 21-year-old has a record of 2–6, 39 BB, 66 SO, and a 5.46 ERA. With a fastball that touches in the high 90s, the Rockies have selected a young prospect who can help the team out in around three years. The Rockies’ top five prospects are all position players, so adding a pitcher helps the balance in the Rockies’ farm system. The right-hander was assigned to the Fresno Grizzlies, the Single-A affiliate for the Rockies.

Mason Albright:

Mason Albright is a left-hander who is also in Single-A in 2023. Albright was the Angels’ No. 28 prospect in their farm system. Albright’s pitching in Single-A has been promising. The 20-year-old posting a record of 9–4. Albright has 86 strikeouts, and 20 walks, a 3.62 ERA, and a 1.230 WHIP in 79 2/3 IP. Albright’s pitching is slick rather than speed. With a fastball that only touches 92 mph, his most impressive pitch is his sweeping curve around the mid-70s. He has an impressive pitch mix with a changeup around the 80 mph mark and a cutter that breaks fast. Albright has also completed seven innings in the last nine of his 15 starts for Single-A, showing good arm energy.