Sports

Red Sox reportedly ink first baseman C.J. Cron to minor-league contract

March 1, 2024 / 10:47 AM EST / CBS Boston

click to expand

BOSTON -- The Red Sox signed a free agent on Friday, just not one that is going to help with their starting rotation. But this free agent could potentially add a little more pop to the Boston lineup, if he wins a spot on the roster ahead of the regular season.

The Red Sox have reportedly signed first baseman C.J. Cron to a minor league contract, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. The righty split time with the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Angels in 2023, slashing .248/.295/.434 with 12 homers, 12 doubles, and 37 RBI over 71 games between the two stops.

Cron missed time with a back injury last season, which could explain his dip in production. With Triston Casas set as the team's everyday first baseman, Cron will battle with Bobby Dalbec this spring for a spot on Boston's depth chart.

Cron, 34, was an All-Star for the Rockies in 2022 when he clubbed 29 home runs to go with 102 RBI over 150 games. Between the 2018-2022 seasons, he averaged 114 games played and 23 homers and 71 RBI. Cron has topped 25 homers and 70 RBI four times over the last five seasons.

Matt Geagan

Matthew Geagan is a sports producer for CBS Boston. He has been part of the WBZ sports team for nearly 20 years. He moved over to the web in 2012 and has covered all the highs (and a few lows) in Boston sports.