Rays DFA C.J. Cron after 30-HR season

C.J. Cron's career season wasn't enough to keep him in a Tampa Bay Rays uniform.

Cron, who hit a team and career-high 30 home runs in 2018, was designated for assignment by the Rays on Tuesday in order to open space for prospects on the team's 40-man roster.

The Rays now have seven days to waive, trade, or release Cron, though it's expected he'll be placed on waivers, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Senior vice president Chaim Bloom told Topkin that while the decision to cut the slugger was a difficult one, the Rays "certainly haven't closed off the possibility" of Cron returning to the team in 2019.

"But with as many deserving players that we have on our club that need playing time and also the number of possible paths for our offseason to take, it didn't make sense to us to commit to him right now," Bloom said.

Tampa Bay acquired the first baseman/designated hitter from the Los Angeles Angels during spring training last February and he quickly emerged as an important part of the team's offensive attack. Over 140 games this year, he slashed .253/.323/.493 (123 OPS+) with 30 homers, 28 doubles, 74 RBIs, and compiled a personal best 2.0 bWAR. Cron also showed a proclivity for being hit by pitches, as his 17 HBP's ranked third in the American League.

The 28-year-old is projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $5.2 million in arbitration next season.

Cron's DFA was part of a flurry of moves to open 40-man roster spots for Rule 5 draft-eligible prospects ahead of Tuesday's 8 p.m. ET deadline to protect them. In addition to dropping Cron from their roster, the Rays also DFA'd right-hander Oliver Drake and left-hander Hoby Milner; right-hander Jose Mujica, meanwhile, was dropped from the 40-man roster via an outright minor-league assignment.

Pitching prospects Kyle Bird, Brock Burke, and Ian Gibaut were added to the Rays' 40-man roster in corresponding moves, as were young outfielders Joe McCarthy and Jesus Sanchez.