1. 新闻来源：
mlbtraderumors
2. 新闻标题：
Twins Claim C.J. Cron
3. 新闻内容：
By Steve Adams | November 26, 2018 at 1:09pm CDT
The Twins announced that they’ve claimed first baseman C.J. Cron off waivers
from the Rays. Cron was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay last week
despite a 30-homer campaign in 2018, and he’s now among the top candidates
to see action for the Twins at first base and designated hitter in 2019.
Minnesota’s 40-man roster is now at 39 players.
It’s not yet clear whether Cron will represent the Twins’ lone addition at
first base/designated hitter this season following the retirement of Joe
Mauer, but the fact that he was claimed at all makes it seem likely that they
’ll tender him a contract this offseason. (The non-tender deadline looms on
Friday.) Cron has ample experience at first base and has received slightly
above-average marks there from both Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone
Rating across the past three seasons combined.
Of course, Cron’s real calling card is right-handed power. The 28-year-old
(29 in January) hit .253/.323/.493 with 30 homers, 28 doubles and a triple in
560 plate appearances for Tampa Bay this past season. The Rays, though, as
they did with Corey Dickerson an offseason prior, elected to designate a
fairly productive hitter for assignment in part due to salary concerns and in
part because they undoubtedly believe the market will ultimately yield
comparable production at a lesser price. Corner bats with limited defensive
value haven’t been rewarded in free agency in recent years, and the Rays
could either find a more affordable alternative or could simply go with
in-house options like Jake Bauers, Ji-Man Choi or Nathaniel Lowe.
Cron is projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $5.2MM in 2019,
making him a reasonably affordable add for Minnesota. Cron is controlled not
only through 2019 but also through the 2020 season, so he could potentially
be a multi-year piece for Minnesota if the organization is pleased with his
2019 output. Cron should have a fairly easy transition from Tampa Bay to
Minnesota, weather not withstanding, as he’s plenty familiar with rookie
manager Rocco Baldelli, who was on the Rays’ coaching staff last season as
the team’s Major League field coordinator.
While the claim doesn’t technically mean that the Twins are committing a
2019 roster spot to Cron — he could still be non-tendered — it does seem
likely that he’s now firmly in the team’s plans. That furthers the
likelihood that outfielder/designated hitter Robbie Grossman, who projects to
earn $4MM next season, will be non-tendered before Friday’s deadline.
Minnesota could yet make some additions to the first base/DH mix next season
and could potentially still add a third baseman as well, depending on the
organization’s plans for Miguel Sano. A move across the diamond to first has
been rumored for Sano, or the organization could simply choose to rotate the
slugger between both corner infield slots and designated hitter next season.
4. 新闻网址：
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/twins-claim-c-j-cron-waivers-rays.html
5. 备注：
(1) 双城队从光芒队让渡名单中捡来28岁一垒手C.J. Cron，最长可控制至2020年，目前
双城队40人名单达39人，但并不代表他一定会留下，仍有不换约的可能(non-tendered)。
(2) MLBTR预测C.J. Cron明年的薪水约$5.2MM。
(3) 光芒队一垒手有较便宜选项如Jake Bauers、Ji-Man Choi、Nathaniel Lowe。
(4) 双城队明年球季预计的野手阵容：
A. C：Jason Castro、Mitch Garver。
B. 1B：C.J. Cron、Tyler Austin。
C. 2B：Ehire Adrianza(UT)。
D. 3B：Willians Astudillo(UT)。
E. SS：Jorge Polanco。
F. LF：Eddie Rosario。
G. CF：Byron Buxton、Jake Cave。
H. RF：Max Kepler。
I. DH：Miguel Sanó、Robbie Grossman(可能被不换约)。
(5) C.J. Cron今年在光芒队的成绩表现(今年28岁；今年薪水：$2.3MM)：
G H HR RBI SO BB BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+
140 127 30 74 145 37 .253 .323 .493 .816 123