The Pittsburgh Pirates have deserved every bit of criticism they’ve gotten this winter.
Today, though, the team actually took a step in improving their roster for 2018, acquiring outfielder Corey Dickerson from the Tampa Bay Rays. Dickerson immediately becomes the Pirates starting left fielder, forming a potentially very good outfield if Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco play up to their ability.
[hide]
TRADE: Pirates acquire OF Corey Dickerson from the Rays in exchange for pitcher Daniel Hudson, minor league infielder Tristan Gray and cash considerations. pic.twitter.com/evvi5sMQkV
— Pirates (@Pirates) February 22, 2018
Dickerson, 28, was named to the 2017 American League All-Star team after hitting .282 with 33 doubles, four triples, a career-high 27 HRs, 62 RBI, .325 OBP, .490 slugging percentage and .815 OPS in 150 games with the Rays.[/hide]
Dickerson will make $5.95 million this season and is arbitration eligible next season. He is under team control for two years. What’s interesting with Dickerson is he went from being the American League’s starting designated hitter in last summer’s All-Star Game to being DFA’d a few days ago.
Dickerson has hit 24 home runs or more in three of his last four seasons.
In 2016, Dickerson hit just .245 but belted 24 homers with 76 RBIs. In 2014 and 2015 with the Rockies, Dickerson was a .300 hitter in back-to-back seasons, batting .312 with 24 homers in 2014 and hit .304 in 2015.
Dickerson is a career .280 hitter with 90 home runs, 256 RBI and an .825 OPS.
This is a good deal for the Pirates, turning Daniel Hudson into a capable starting left fielder with two years of control.