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July 31 (UPI) — The Los Angeles Angels have made a significant trade with the Colorado Rockies, acquiring outfielder Randal Grichuk, first baseman C.J. Cron, and receiving cash considerations. In exchange, the Angels are sending two minor-league pitchers, Mason Albright and Jake Madden, to the Rockies.
The highly-anticipated trade was announced by both teams on Sunday night.
Randal Grichuk, age 31, has had an outstanding season with the Rockies, hitting a career-high .308 with eight home runs and 27 RBIs in 64 games. As a 10-year veteran, Grichuk has an overall batting average of .251 with 183 home runs. Prior to his time with the Rockies, he played for the Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals. Grichuk is set to become a free agent this off-season.
C.J. Cron, age 33, has also been a strong contributor to the Rockies, hitting .260 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs in 56 games this season. With 10 years of experience, Cron has a career batting average of .260 with 186 home runs. In 2022, he had an exceptional season, hitting .257 with 29 home runs and 102 RBIs, earning him an All-Star selection. Cron started his career with the Angels and has also played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, and Detroit Tigers. Similar to Grichuk, he will become a free agent next off-season.
The Angels have agreed to send Mason Albright, age 20, and Jake Madden, age 21, both promising minor-league pitchers, to the Rockies as part of the trade. Albright, ranked as the No. 21 prospect in the Rockies organization, had a record of 9-4 with a 3.62 ERA in 15 games this season for the Inland Empire 66ers, a Class A affiliate of the Angels. Madden, ranked as the No. 20 prospect, went 2-7 with a 5.46 ERA in 14 starts for the 66ers.
The Angels, currently with a record of 55-51, will face the Atlanta Braves (67-36) on Monday in Atlanta, while the Rockies (41-64) will host the San Diego Padres (52-54) in Denver.
