Red Sox add veteran C.J. Cron, creating competition with Bobby Dalbec
The Red Sox have added a right-handed power C.J. Cron on a minor league deal, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
Cron is expected to join the Red Sox in the coming days and create competition with Bobby Dalbec for a spot on the 26-man roster.
The former 2022 All-Star offers power potential and offers a higher ceiling offensively than Dalbec. If Cron makes the roster, he will backup Triston Casas at first base and split time at designated hitter with Masataka Yoshida.
If Cron is added to the Opening Day roster, he will earn $2 million this season and can earn up to $500,000 in performance bonuses, per the Globe’s Alex Speier. The veteran first baseman is an XX(B) free agent and will have an opt-out clause if he is not on the 40-man roster by Opening Day.
Last season, Cron struggled offensively hitting .248 with 12 homers, 37 RBIs and a .729 OPS. He only played in 71 games with both the Rockies and Angels due to dealing with lingering back issues.
During the 2022 season, Cron mashed 29 homers and if healthy gives Boston some right-handed thunder in the lineup.
It’s no guarantee that Cron makes the club but is he does that means Dalbec will end up back with the WooSox in 2024. The righty hit 33 homers for Triple-A Worcester last season and has been in camp this spring attempting to make the roster with not much competition around him.
Dalbec has been taking reps in the outfield while in camp. While with the WooSox last season, he played 36 games in right field. It was the first time in his professional career he played in the outfield.
