MLB Trade Grades: Angels raid Rockies for CJ Cron, Randal Grichuk

The Angels MLB trade deadline dealing continued with a double-dose of position players, CJ Cron and Randal Grichuk, from the Rockies.

The Angels have been one of the biggest movers at the MLB trade deadline. They addressed their pitching staff with Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez joining the squad. And now they’ve found a couple of bats to go along with them.

On Sunday, LA finalized a deal to land first baseman CJ Cron and outfielder Randol Grichuk from the Rockies.

Acccording to Bob Nightengale, the moves will put the Angels above the luxury tax for the first time under Arte Moreno. It’s yet another sign that they’re all-in to win with Shohei Ohtani. But did they win the trade?

MLB trade grades: Who won Angels-Rockies deal?

Angels trade grade: A

Considering the price, the Angels did a wonderful job on this one.

Cron was an All-Star in 2022 and while he hasn’t entirely matched his output from that campaign, but he’s still an everyday first baseman who can hit.

Grichuk also helps fill an everyday roll, especially after Taylor Ward suffered facial fractures from being hit by a pitch.

Adding solid hitters to fill gaps in the injury-hit lineup for the cost of the No. 8 and No. 28 prospects in the system is an absolute win.

Rockies trade grade: C

You’ve got to wonder if the Rockies could have gotten more here. Those Angels prospects could work out in the long run but they didn’t exactly make Los Angeles break the bank to land the two veterans they needed.

Then again, Grichuk and Cron were both in the final year of their deals, so getting a couple of pitching prospects is better than nothing for a team leaning towards youth.