TRADE: Angels Add Two Familiar Faces in Trade For a Pair of Sluggers

The Los Angeles Angels continue to bulk up for the stretch run, adding two sluggers — both formerly with the organization — in a trade with the Colorado Rockies.

The @Angels have acquired C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk from the Rockies. pic.twitter.com/RjHBmBllxg

— MLB (@MLB) July 31, 2023

First baseman CJ Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk return to Anaheim in the deal, in exchange for minor leaguers RHP Jake Madden (the Angels' No. 8 prospect) and left-hander Mason Albright (No. 28).

Strange as it may seem, Grichuk was actually selected one spot ahead of Mike Trout in the 2009 MLB Draft, as the team had back-to-back picks. Grichuk never played for the Angels in the majors, however, having been dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played the first four years of his big league career before spending another four with the Toronto Blue Jays. He's been with the Rockies for the past two seasons. 

The soon-to-be 32-year-old missed the first month of the season due to injury, but has been a relatively solid season since then. Although he has just 8 home runs, he is batting .312 with an .869 OPS and a .502 slugging. In July, he has a 1.137 OPS and six home runs in 15 games. 

Cron is having a tough year, due to injury and unperforming, with an OPS+ of just 96 along with 11 home runs, down significantly from his previous two seasons in the Mile High City, in which he averaged just a tick under 30 HR and 100 RBIs per year. 

He also has been picking it up of late, however, batting .309 in the past 15 games, with 5 homers and 11 RBIs, with a .963 OPS. He spent the first four years of his MLB career in Anaheim.

The Angels are coming off a series in Toronto in which they scraped out just five runs over three games. The influx of offense should be a nice boost. 

Both Cron and Grichuk will be free agents after the season.

Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports