MLB Rumors: 1 trade to fix the Cardinals, Cubs, Phillies and Mets

MLB Rumors: Phillies should trade for C.J. Cron

C.J. Cron has been sidelined for the majority of the season, suffering back spasms in the middle of May. He hasn’t been able to resume baseball activities just yet, but the Rockies are hopeful he will return to the major-league squad by the end of the month.

Assuming Cron is healthy — and that’s a rather large assumption given his current status — he’s a powerful pull hitter and a decent defender at first base. The Phillies need both of those things — more pop in the lineup and a first baseman who care replace the likes of Kody Clemens and Darick Hall. Rhys Hoskins is on the 60-day injured list.

Cron should be affordable given his numbers are down on the year — he’s slashing just .228/.277/.426 in 36 games. However, Cron is just a year removed from far better statistics, including 29 home runs. He was a run-producer in Colorado last season, and with the right lineup around him, can be a solid middle-of-the-order bat when called upon.

Philadelphia has a tough decision to make come late July. Dave Dombrowski is not known for selling, and the Phils are less than a year removed from a World Series appearance. Trading away pieces from a contending team would be deflating for a fanbase that has supported them through it all. Perhaps a minor addition, like Cron, could be enough to sneak into an NL Wild Card spot. Most importantly, the Phillies cannot and should not trade away Aaron Nola.