Pending FA Cron showing value to Rockies

DENVER -- First baseman C.J. Cron believes parts of the Rockies’ lineup are coming together -- providing said lineup stays together.

Cron continued his bid to be part of the future with three hits, including two doubles, and two RBIs in the Rockies’ 5-4, 10-inning loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Coors Field.

Albert Pujols’ RBI single in the 10th was the difference, although the Rockies had runners at the corners with two down in the bottom of the 10th before rookie Colton Welker flied to center against Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia. The result helped the Dodgers keep pace with the Giants, whom they trail by one game in the National League West race.

To have hope of joining such a race in the future, the Rockies need offensive improvement. But to do so, they’ll need to make a decision on Cron, who signed a Minor League contract before Spring Training and converted that into a $1 million contract that expires at season’s end.

Cron, 31, endured early struggles, then found his swing. He was torrid in August, when he earned the National League Player of the Month Award. But in the big picture, it’s more than a month. Cron, who leads the team with 27 homers for the season, has driven in 50 runs since the All-Star break.

“C.J., the way he’s swinging the bat this year, is a middle-of-the-order bat,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “He’s going to produce runs. He should knock in runs. He’s got homer potential with 27. You get a couple guys on base in front of him, there’s always the potential for a big inning with a homer.”

After a dreadful 31-47 start, the Rockies have gone 39-33. The lineup is unsettled at the top and looks as if it needs a couple more impact bats, but some bright spots are emerging. Brendan Rodgers has solidified the No. 2 spot, Ryan McMahon is an improving offensive player below the middle of the order and catcher Elias Díaz has made dramatic offensive improvement in the 7-hole.

“The biggest thing is that 2-hole -- B-Rod has slid into it,” Cron said of Rodgers, who is followed by Charlie Blackmon, Trevor Story (that pair is interchangeable at 3 and 4). “It’s set up the team to be a little bit more coordinated, and we’ve been playing better ball lately.”

The Rockies will give re-signing Story, a pending free agent, a shot, by granting him a one-year qualifying offer (which will allow them to receive a Draft pick as compensation should he leave). Blackmon’s contract expires at season’s end, but he has high-dollar player options for 2022 and 2023, and will likely be around.

And the Rockies appear to be in good position to re-sign Cron, who has put up solid power seasons with the Rays (30 homers in 2018) and Twins (25 in just 125 games in 2019), but has never been signed for more than one year.

Behind him are Welker, who debuted this month and was ranked as the Rockies’ No. 20 prospect by MLB Pipeline (a ranking hurt by a PED suspension this year), and No. 6 prospect and 2019 top pick Michael Toglia. But keeping a proven power hitter like Cron in Purple Pinstripes makes much sense. He’s playing his game, not pressing to build a resume.

“Obviously, it would be nice to end the season with however many games we have left on a good note,” Cron said. “But we’re trying to hit the whole year.”