MLB Insider: Why the Phillies should target this slugger in trade talks

The Philadelphia Phillies are without Rhys Hoskins and Darick Hall at first base long-term. Here’s a perfect trade target to address that need.

With Rhys Hoskins out for the season after tearing his ACL and Darick Hall out a few months as he’s set to undergo thumb surgery, the Philadelphia Phillies need help at first base. Fast.

Unfortunately for the Phillies, that solution is unlikely to come internally. They promoted Kody Clemens from Triple-A and he will start at first base on Friday. But president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski spent significant resources this winter to get the team back to the World Series — and they can’t afford to wait around in addressing first base.

Enter Colorado Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron.

Cron, 33, makes all the sense in the world as a target for the Phillies. He’s signed to a cheap two-year, $14.5 million contract. In a little over two years in Colorado, he’s hitting .268/.342/.500 with 60 home runs and 201 RBI. This season, he’s hitting .259/.310/.667 with three home runs and seven RBI, and remains a key part of the Rockies’ lineup.

Adding Cron would solve the Phillies’ first base problems and add even more thump to their lineup. The only problem is whether or not the Rockies will even consider trading Cron.

In previous years, the Rockies have been hesitant to move on from their premium trade chips (not named Nolan Arenado). They held onto Cron and pitchers Daniel Bard and Chad Kuhl last deadline and were said to be seeking a sizable haul for Cron. That figures to be no different this year, as Cron continues to establish himself as one of the most underrated first basemen in baseball.

Dombrowski has been known to part with prospects to upgrade his major-league roster. Perhaps that continues this year with Cron or another first baseman. But Cron is a near-perfect fit, and the Phillies should make a call to the Rockies’ front office about the slugger sooner than later.