The Colorado Rockies must extend first baseman C.J. Cron before the season ends

CHICAGO — The Colorado Rockies have struck gold in first baseman C.J. Cron. Cron has, arguably, been the Rockies best first baseman since the retirement of franchise legend Todd Helton after the 2013 season. The only real argument would be Justin Morneau’s lone full season with the Rockies when he replaced Helton in 2014. Morneau won the NL batting title when he hit .319 in 2014 and had an OPS+ of 125.

So far this season, Cron has been better with the bat as he has hit .276/.380/.525 on the season with an OPS+ of 130. Since August 2, Cron has hit .444/.520/.889 with a wRC+ of 246. However, he hasn’t been as sharp on defense as Morneau was (10 Defensive Runs Saved). Cron has still been above league average at 3 DRS.

That is partially why the Colorado Rockies need to extend C.J. Cron ASAP.

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C.J. Cron has put up the best offensive season out of a first baseman since at least Morneau and, arguably, since Todd Helton in 2007. But there are a few other reasons why the Rockies must extend him.

Cron had a familiarity with the Rockies before he signed with the team this past offseason, as his father, Chris, was the Rockies Triple-A manager from 2000 through 2002 (plus other roles in the Rockies front office or in minor league coaching roles) but he also has a great relationship with manager Bud Black, going back to when Cron was playing first base for the Los Angeles Angels and Bud Black was in the Angels front office in 2016.

Since Black will almost certainly will be with the club in 2022 and beyond, Cron will have that continuity.

He will also provide the Rockies a player that can provide them some veteran leadership. The Rockies do (and have recently) turned to some younger players to play positions for them in recent years (Trevor Story replacing Troy Tulowitzki, Ryan McMahon, Brendan Rodgers, Sam Hilliard, Raimel Tapia, etc.), but you always need that veteran presence around the team. He could be one of a few players around the team already that is and could continue providing that.

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The Rockies could also extend him for a relatively cheap rate. Cron has put up fairly consistent numbers with teams, but hasn’t had much continuity in staying with teams. The Rockies are only paying him around $1 million this season. Considering that Cron will be turning 32 in January, this could be his last opportunity for a multi-year deal.

The Rockies shouldn’t be signing him for 15 years, but the Rockies could extend him for two or three seasons and still get good production out of him.

With the designated hitter likely coming in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement that would start for the 2022 season, Cron could, as he ages, transition to a part-time first baseman and part-time DH, if need be, as well.

The Rockies would be remiss to lose C.J. Cron’s bat and clubhouse presence for 2022 and even though they will still be rebuilding for the future, Cron could help bridge to the future if the Rockies extend him before anybody else can try to get Cron on the cheap themselves.