The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired outfielder Corey Dickerson from the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday.
The Pirates made the trade announcement on Twitter early this afternoon. In exchange for Dickerson, the Rays acquired reliever Daniel Hudson, minor league infielder Tristan Gray and cash considerations.
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
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) February 22, 2018
Dickerson, 28, likely fits in as the top candidate for the starting position in left field, joining Starling Marte in center and Gregory Polanco in right as the potential opening day trio in the outfield.
Other potential fourth outfield options include Adam Frazier, Daniel Nava, Jordan Luplow and Michael Saunders, who was signed to a minor league deal Wednesday. Sean Rodriguez is also a potential bench option that can play in the outfield.
A 2010 eighth round draft pick by the Colorado Rockies, Dickerson had a career year in 2017, batting .282/.325/.490 with a career-high 27 home runs in 150 games with Tampa Bay.
The 28-year-old was also named an American League all-star for the first time in 2017 after hitting .312 with 17 home runs and 42 RBIs in the first half of the season. He did fall off a bit in the second half, batting .241/.282/.408 with 10 home runs and 20 RBIs.
In addition to announcing the deal early Thursday, the Pirates also released a statement from general manager Neal Huntington regarding the acquisition of Dickerson.
Pirates GM Neal Huntington on the acquisition of @MCoreyDickerson pic.twitter.com/SyAQwrF5DG
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) February 22, 2018
Dickerson, who made his major league debut in 2013 with Colorado, is a career .280/.325/.504 hitter and is just 10 home runs shy of 100 in his career. He has made 326 career starts in left field, while having limited experience in the other two outfield spots.
The Rays designated Dickerson for assignment on Feb. 17 to make room for newly acquired first baseman C.J. Cron. The Dickerson trade is part of a massive transition period for the Rays, who have also parted ways with the likes of Evan Longoria, Steven Souza and Jake Odorizzi this offseason.
Dickerson has one year of arbitration left after this season and will be eligible for free agency after the 2019 season.
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