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Colorado Rockies: Three first base free agent targets

By Noah Yingling

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 25: Ryan Zimmerman #11 of the Washington Nationals reacts against the Houston Astros during the second inning in Game Three of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 25: Ryan Zimmerman #11 of the Washington Nationals reacts against the Houston Astros during the second inning in Game Three of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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C.J. Cron of the Detroit Tigers
DETROIT, MI – JULY 30: C.J. Cron #26 of the Detroit Tigers bats during the game against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park on July 30, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. The Royals defeated the Tigers 5-3. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

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C.J. Cron

C.J. Cron, the son of Chris Cron, who managed the Rockies Triple-A team in Colorado Springs from 2000 through 2003, has bounced around a bit in the last few seasons but he has, quietly, been one of the better hitting first basemen in baseball.

In 2018 and 2019, he averaged 28 home runs and 76 RBI with a slash line of .253/.317/.482 with an OPS+ of 113 and an average bWAR of 2.0. While with the Tigers in 2020, he was playing even better (139 OPS+) but he suffered a knee injury after only 13 games played, he suffered a season-ending knee injury that required surgery.

With the surgery, he may not be fully healed by the time Spring Training will be starting so that is a risk in signing him.

Final Thoughts

While the Rockies’ decision on whether to stay with their internal options or go external will be made in the coming months, it will partially hinge on whether or not the National League adopts the designated hitter full-time for 2021 and beyond.

If the DH is adopted, the chance that someone like these three with their injuries would be better since they could DH some of the time as well.

Next. Looking back on 3 Arenado trade proposals. dark

Even if the DH isn’t adopted and they decide to give the everyday first baseman job to someone internally, these three players could also provide the Rockies with a bat on the bench and depth and depth currently is and has been a major issue for the Rockies in the last decade or more.

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