Article: Twins Claim 1B CJ Cron

[Pardon My Dinger]

They didn’t get him for nothing. A roster spot isn’t nothing, especially when they’ve finally got some money to burn.

[Brandon]

I am fine with the move provided the Twins keep Grossman and Austin for the time being and do more to improve the team.  

 

Grossman has a 3 year track record of .360+ OBP which we can really use especially now that Mauer retired.  

 

Also I do hope the Twins sign someone like Cruz to DH.  a good 1 or 2 year deal or best yet a 1 year deal with a 1 year option that becomes guaranteed with 400 or 500 ABs give or take.  

 

If the Twins want to win on the cheap then beefing up the power department is the way to go.  

[USAFChief]

 

If Rooker pushes the team to promote him (like Morneau did when we had Dougie Baseball), the Twins can trade Cron. Or they can put him at first and move Austin. But right now, the Twins don't have a first baseman or a DH. Austin will probably get one of those opportunities but Cron can handle the other. 

If Cron was worth anything in trade, TB wouldn't have DFA'd him.

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

Rocco's guy. I'm willing to put some trust in The Baldelli Era. This is a cost-controlled move. That means there's more of the salary pie for a potential ace, middle infielder, and bullpen depth. The Cron move gives the front office more room to fill other needs.

[gunnarthor]

 

If Cron was worth anything in trade, TB wouldn't have DFA'd him.

Not really relevant. Twins could try and move Cron at the trade deadline, for instance, or when they think Rooker is ready to come up. Probably depends on the timing. I'm not sure Lance Lynn is worth anything now but he was at the deadline. If Cron is hitting 120 OPS+ at the deadine and the Twins are out of it and a team needs RH power, maybe he's worth something. When teams are finagling their 40 man rosters and payroll heading into free agency signings, he's worth less. 

[cmoss84]

I heard Boston was pretty good last year...and also the Yankees. TB ended up still going 90-72 (which is pretty damn impressive). They are they definition of a team...no major components but a lot of solid players. Cron was one of them, as he contributed in 140 games. 

 

For those of you upset about the Cron/Austin redundancy, I'm guessing this means Austin is gone or AAA depth, and we look for a left handed bat to platoon. Whether that bat is Santana, Marwin Gonzalez, or someone else, I really do think they will add someone of relevance. 

 

Cron is an upgrade over Austin, if used properly-think that is what this is. For $5 million, worth a shot, especially if they land a bigger fish to work with him. 

 

 

[Vanimal46]

I heard Boston was pretty good last year...and also the Yankees. TB ended up still going 90-72 (which is pretty damn impressive). They are they definition of a team...no major components but a lot of solid players. Cron was one of them, as he contributed in 140 games.

 

For those of you upset about the Cron/Austin redundancy, I'm guessing this means Austin is gone or AAA depth, and we look for a left handed bat to platoon. Whether that bat is Santana, Marwin Gonzalez, or someone else, I really do think they will add someone of relevance.

 

Cron is an upgrade over Austin, if used properly-think that is what this is. For $5 million, worth a shot, especially if they land a bigger fish to work with him.

I hope they settle the redundancy concern soon. Though if the Twins want to be hip, now, with it and wow like the Rays, they probably shouldn't dedicate $5 million to a player who's not a big upgrade to who they have already making $550k.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I am fine with the move provided the Twins keep Grossman and Austin for the time being and do more to improve the team.  

 

Grossman has a 3 year track record of .360+ OBP which we can really use especially now that Mauer retired.  

 

Also I do hope the Twins sign someone like Cruz to DH.  a good 1 or 2 year deal or best yet a 1 year deal with a 1 year option that becomes guaranteed with 400 or 500 ABs give or take.  

 

If the Twins want to win on the cheap then beefing up the power department is the way to go.  

 

Grossman is terrible at MLB. His OBP does nothing, given it is all walks and singles, and he can't play defense. There is no reason for him to be on this roster. The math is clear, adding OBP players only works if you add lots of them.....

[cmoss84]

 

I hope they settle the redundancy concern soon. Though if the Twins want to be hip, now, with it and wow like the Rays, they probably shouldn't dedicate $5 million to a player who's not a big upgrade to who they have already making $550k.

Austin:

                AB  R  H  2B  3B HR   RBI BB HBP SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS

vs. Left      89 9  21   3   0   8      20    9     1     32   1     1  .236  .307 .539 .846
vs. Right 155 25 35     7 0   9     27   10     1    63   0      1  .226 .275 .445 .720

 

Cron:

               AB  R  H   2B  3B  HR   RBI  BB HBP SO SB CS   AVG OBP SLG OPS

vs. Left   150 24 46   11    1    8     21   14   4      47   0     1    .307 .376 .553 .929
vs. Right 351 44 81 17     0    22    53   23 13     98   1      1   .231 .300 .467 .767

 

I like what Cron did against lefties last year. Might have been a nice, cheap upgrade. 

(whoops-sorry for the hard-to-read stats)

Edited November 26, 2018 by cmoss84

[Mike Sixel]

 

I hope they settle the redundancy concern soon. Though if the Twins want to be hip, now, with it and wow like the Rays, they probably shouldn't dedicate $5 million to a player who's not a big upgrade to who they have already making $550k.

 

This is my major question.....they clearly could use that money on better RP, or to acquire a better SP. Or maybe a SS or 2B. But they used it on a 1B/DH, who might not be better than their current options by much, if at all. But, I still endorse it, unless it somehow stops them from doing other stuff. 

[PseudoSABR]

 

Austin:

                AB  R  H  2B  3B HR   RBI BB HBP SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS

vs. Left      89 9  21   3   0   8      20    9     1     32   1     1  .236  .307 .539 .846
vs. Right 155 25 35     7 0   9     27   10     1    63   0      1  .226 .275 .445 .720

 

Cron:

               AB  R  H   2B  3B  HR   RBI  BB HBP SO SB CS   AVG OBP SLG OPS

vs. Left   150 24 46   11    1    8     21   14   4      47   0     1    .307 .376 .553 .929
vs. Right 351 44 81 17     0    22    53   23 13     98   1      1   .231 .300 .467 .767

 

I like what Cron did against lefties last year. Might have been a nice, cheap upgrade. 

(whoops-sorry for the hard-to-read stats)

Those splits are not what I expected.  Very interesting, maybe he does make a good platoon partner with Austin.

Edited November 27, 2018 by PseudoSABR

[mikelink45]

How can I comment intelligently.  I know what I hope, I do not know what I expect.  Obviously Austin did not impress enough to grab the position.  But Cron has a one year resume so who knows.  Both are cheap in baseball numbers so let them fight it out.  We know one will be 1B.  Now lets concentrate on the really big needs - SS!  CF! SP! AND RP!.  I am waiting. 

[WxMan17]

And now for a game called "Name that Ex- Ray turned Twin!" 

 

[dgwills]

There is no downside to this. Good move. I can't believe the Rays are this cheap. They should be kicked out of the league. 

[Vanimal46]

And now for a game called "Name that Ex- Ray turned Twin!"

Jason Bartlett! Ex-Twin turned Ex-Ray turned BACK into an ex-Twin!

[Vanimal46]

What do you call a CJ Cron HR?

 

Cron Bomb? Cron Dong?

[Riverbrian]

 

If Rooker pushes the team to promote him (like Morneau did when we had Dougie Baseball), the Twins can trade Cron. Or they can put him at first and move Austin. But right now, the Twins don't have a first baseman or a DH. Austin will probably get one of those opportunities but Cron can handle the other. 

 

They can't trade Cron... They can release him. 

 

The Rays surely would have traded him if they had takers. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

If Rooker pushes the team to promote him (like Morneau did when we had Dougie Baseball), the Twins can trade Cron. Or they can put him at first and move Austin. But right now, the Twins don't have a first baseman or a DH. Austin will probably get one of those opportunities but Cron can handle the other. 

I feel the opposite about first base. I think they have plenty of coverage. I was fine with Tyler Austin, some Sano, with Rooker getting a call-up and maybe Kepler getting time there in platoon situations. Picking up this new guy just seems redundant, unless they plan to move one of the above guys. 

[WxMan17]

 

What do you call a CJ Cron HR?

Cron Bomb? Cron Dong?

 

 Send him to the Yankees and see what John Sterling comes up with

[Riverbrian]

 

He's a slightly above average defensive 1B. Austin and Cruz are not.

 

Why are some of us giving Austin a scholarship?

 

On the other hand, his OBP without his (unsustainable) 17 HBP's last year was about .304. Hard pass.

 

Giving Austin a scholarship isn't the way I look at it. 

 

He showed some potential and he's out of options. When they are out of options you have to give them a roster spot or let them go, Austin intrigued me enough that I don't want to let him go to end up being a Voit type player for someone else. I'd like to see what he could do with 500 AB's. He's got 40 HR power with 500 AB's in my opinion. 

 

I feel the same way about Cron as I did when they signed Morrison last year... I was OK with it because I like it when the try to upgrade even at small increments but I mentioned when he was signed that he better be better than Vargas (I've always irrationally liked Vargas) because Vargas would be paid the minimum and Morrison got 6M. 

 

Same thing between Cron and Austin... He better be better than Austin if Austin is a causality of the move. 

 

It's not a scholarship thing... It's an option thing... losing him thing. 

 

[Mike Sixel]

 

There is no downside to this. Good move. I can't believe the Rays are this cheap. They should be kicked out of the league. 

 

They have a player that many say will be better next year. And, maybe they want to open room for their hybrid player to play 1B sometimes too. Also, maybe they'll spend the money they save. Oh, and they won 90 games last year........in the hardest division in the sport. They must be doing something right.....

[Brandon]

 

They can't trade Cron... They can release him. 

 

The Rays surely would have traded him if they had takers. 

 

I imagine if teams know his salary and how much is left for the season.  I imagine we could pay down a little so we get more than the league minimum covered.  

If Tampa offered to cover 3 million of the contract Cron signs I bet they may have found a taker.  for us we will need an injury and then Cron would be a good pick up since he only has a 1 year commitment.  

[Kelly Vance]

A cheap stand in/back up for Austin and for free (more or less) is not a horrible move to make in November. And 30 HRs and 74 RBIs is decent. Especially since Donaldson is a Brave.  This means Sano gets 3B, and all year to make good.

This was a good pick up. 

 

[TheLeviathan]

 

There is no downside to this. Good move. I can't believe the Rays are this cheap. They should be kicked out of the league. 

 

4M and a roster spot certainly could be downside.

 

I feel like we already have CJ Cron at an eighth of the price in Austin.  This....makes no sense to me.  I hope it works out, but I don't like this as a starting point for the offseason.

[PDX Twin]

This being the era of manic shifting, I'm guessing that they have a secret plan to use two firstbasemen.

[Riverbrian]

 

I imagine if teams know his salary and how much is left for the season.  I imagine we could pay down a little so we get more than the league minimum covered.  

If Tampa offered to cover 3 million of the contract Cron signs I bet they may have found a taker.  for us we will need an injury and then Cron would be a good pick up since he only has a 1 year commitment.  

 

I suppose you'd have to consider that the bulk of his 5M will already been paid by the Twins come July however, it still doesn't solve the league wide power hitting/high K 1B saturation problem.  

[FlauerPauer]

Hopefully this is a replacement for Grossman. If it is, then this is a solid low risk move. If Grossman is on the roster, you gotta think they saw enough to Tyler Austin and Cron takes his place. I suppose there could also be a three player battle for two roster spots come spring training.

 

I do like the move. They aren't going to get Goldschmidt and I don't think Carlos Santana is any better for the salary he makes than Cron.

[PseudoSABR]

 

What do you call a CJ Cron HR?

Cron Bomb? Cron Dong?

Yes.

[PseudoSABR]

 

4M and a roster spot certainly could be downside.

 

I feel like we already have CJ Cron at an eighth of the price in Austin.  This....makes no sense to me.  I hope it works out, but I don't like this as a starting point for the offseason.

You're penciling Austin in for 30 HRs and a OPS north of .800 OPS?  If Austin produces during ST, I'm pretty sure we can still cut ties with Cron.  And we do have holes at both 1b/DH; so we may need both in the lineup, unless you're counting on Grossman, whom I think is real roster casualty.

[ashbury]

What do you call a CJ Cron HR?

 

Cron Bomb? Cron Dong?

We Unix computer geeks will call it a Cron Job and get nothing but crickets and weird stares for our effort.