Pirates Acquire Dickerson From Rays

Five days after he was designated for assignment, Corey Dickerson has found a new home.

The Pirates acquired Dickerson from the Rays on Thursday, sending back veteran righthander Daniel Hudson, minor league infielder Tristan Gray and cash.

The Rays DFA’d Dickerson last weekend after acquiring C.J. Cron, a shocking move that had baseball buzzing. Given a 10-day window to trade or release him, the Rays found a willing trade partner in the Pirates.

Rays acquire:
Daniel Hudson, RHP
Age: 30

A two-time Tommy John survivor, Hudson posted a 4.38 ERA in 71 appearances out of the Pirates bullpen last season, with 66 strikeouts and 33 walks in 61.2 innings. Hudson comfortably sits 95-96 mph with his fastball and induces a steady diet of grounders with his 85-88 mph slider. He primarily pitched the eighth inning for Pittsburgh last season, and projects to pitch in late relief for the Rays as well.

Tristan Gray, 2B/SS
Age: 21

A 13th-round draft pick from Rice last year, Gray went out after signing and hit .269 with 12 doubles, seven home runs, 37 RBIs and an .815 OPS at short-season West Virginia and ranked as the New York-Penn League’s No. 19 prospect. He began the season at second base and finished at shortstop, following stints playing first, third and left field at Rice. A versatile, athletic defender with above-average arm strength, Gray projects to play second base primarily and move around as needed. Opposing managers commended his lefthanded swing and he doesn’t strike out much. Gray’s total package leads some to believe he’ll have a stealth climb up the ranks and end up having an MLB career, but he has to show he can hit higher-level pitching before everyone buys in. He’ll begin his Rays career at either low Class A Bowling Green or high Class A Charlotte.

Pirates acquire:
Corey Dickerson, OF
Age: 28

The Pirates acquire Dickerson to fill the outfield spot vacated by their December trade of Andrew McCutchen. He now slides into left field with Starling Marte in center and Gregory Polanco in right. Dickerson hit .282 with 27 homers and 62 RBIs for the Rays last year and started the All-Star Game at designated hitter for the American League. He posted a .903 OPS in the first half but slumped to a .690 mark in the second half. Dickerson brings lefthanded thump – he’s averaged 34 doubles and 25 homers and slugged .480 the last two years – but he is liable to chase pitches out of the zone and doesn’t walk much. Scouts have long questioned his defense, but advanced metrics have him as a roughly average left fielder. Overall, Dickerson represents a notable upgrade from the Pirates’ other in-house left field options and will slide into the middle of their order from day one. He is due $5.95 million in 2018 and won’t be a free agent until 2020.