The Rays have acquired first baseman C.J. Cron from the Angels for a player to be named later, both teams annonuced. In a surprising corresponding move, Tampa also announced that outfielder Corey Dickerson has been designated for assignment to create roster space.
Cron had been noted as a potential trade candidate for much of the winter, especially after the Angels signed Shohei Ohtani and Zack Cozart. Ohtani’s presence in the DH mix meant more planned first base time for Albert Pujols, and Cozart’s installation as the everyday third baseman left Luis Valbuena floating between third and first. With Cron’s departure, the Halos can now use Pujols at DH and Valbuena at first base, with Pujols shifting to first a couple of times per week to give Ohtani a chance to hit. Jefry Marte is also on hand as inexpensive corner infield depth.
“With the construction of our roster and the personnel we have in place for this upcoming season, we have to place a premium on flexibility and maneuverability within our position player group,” Angels GM Billy Eppler told reporters, including Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. Cron is only a first baseman and was out of options, leaving him the odd man out on a three-man Angels bench (necessitated by the likelihood of the team carrying 13 pitchers).
Never quite a regular in the Angels lineup over his four MLB seasons, Cron has hit .262/.307/.449 with 59 homers over 1475 career plate appearances. As per Fangraphs’ wRC+ metric, Cron has created seven percent more runs (107 wRC+) than the average hitter over that same stretch, despite a lack of on-base ability. He is also something of a reverse-splits hitter from the right side of the plate, with a career .772 OPS against right-handers and only a .716 OPS against southpaws.
[Updated Angels and Rays depth charts at Roster Resource]
These splits make Cron a something less-than-ideal platoon partner with Brad Miller, the Rays’ incumbent first baseman, given the left-handed Miller’s struggles against same-sided pitching. Cron could receive regular duty as either a first baseman or a designated hitter, though the Rays would have to be confident that Cron’s 2017 season (the worst of his career) was just an aberration due to foot injuries. Cron did increase his hard-hit ball rate to a career-best 35.8% last season, though his main issue was simply making putting the bat on the ball at all, as evidenced lowered contact rates and a career-worst 25.7% strikeout rate.
Perhaps the bigger headline here is that the Rays are prepared to entirely cut ties with Dickerson, who made the AL All-Star team just last summer. Dickerson hit .282/.325/.490 with 27 homers over 629 PA in 2017, though the large majority of that damage came in the first half of the season. Dickerson posted a .903 OPS in 370 PA before the break, and only a .690 OPS in 259 PA after the break. That dropoff notwithstanding, Dickerson was a 2.6 fWAR player last season, posted respectable defensive numbers in left field (+4.5 UZR/150, -1 Defensive Runs Saved), is still just 28 years old and is under team control for two more seasons.
As always with the Rays, financial elements played a key role. It was widely expected that the Rays were going to cut payroll this winter, with Dickerson and the team’s other priciest arbitration-eligible players standing out as the likeliest candidates to be traded. (Not to mention the Rays moving their biggest contract in Evan Longoria.) Dickerson is slated to earn $5.95MM in 2018 after avoiding arbitration with the team, while Cron is set to earn $2.3MM in 2018 and has two more arb-eligible years before reaching free agency after the 2020 season.
Dickerson’s salary is not guaranteed since he is an arbitration-eligible player, so the Rays would only owe him 30 days’ worth of termination pay if he ends up being released after the 10-day DFA period. A team that claims Dickerson or works out a trade with the Rays during the next 10 days would take on his full $5.95MM salary. If the Rays were willing to go to this extent to unload Dickerson’s salary, it wouldn’t be a shock to see other players (perhaps Miller or Adeiny Hechevarria, not more valuable trade chips like Jake Odorizzi or Alex Colome) also let go before their arbitration salaries become guaranteed.
Under normal circumstances, you’d think Dickerson would draw a lot of interest from several teams, though his market could be somewhat muted given the large number of power bats still available on the free agent market. One can assume the Rays have been shopping Dickerson for much of the winter and couldn’t find any takers, though it’s possible any interested teams could also swoop in now they could simply claim him without having to give up anything in return. A team could also hope that nobody else acquires Dickerson over the 10 days in the hopes of signing him to a cheaper contract.
What
This move will have drastic ramifications on the off season. The Redsox can acquire Dickerson for next to nothing so this could impact the market for JD Martinez.
You’re a freaking moron.
He’s rubber and you’re glue pal…
No Its Yankee who is the glue
So explain the impact …..
I agree the RSox should pick up Dickerson. A solid bat off the bench and a kid that can play all OF positions. A decent WAR @ 2.7 has had 3 decent seasons. Brentz might be a viable trade candidate for CD. CD can platoon with Nunez in LF. Watch for the Yankees and others putting a claim in on him. He would be deadly in Yankee Land with that short porch.
Your forgetting about benintendi. Smh
Corey Dickerson??? What???
Wtf is going on
Dickerson, of all people? Why?
I can think of nearly 6 million reasons, though it’s surprising they couldn’t find a suitor (to this point).
What dude any team would take nearly 30 HR and 280+ AVG for 6 Mill especially the Rays who if they don’t trade him or if he’s not claimed will be on the hook for the money anyway.
No they won’t because arb salaries aren’t fully guaranteed. Rays save money either way. Still a very questionable move though
I’m not suggesting this was wise, but it’s hard to imagine that he wasn’t shopped first. It would be more surprising if he isn’t claimed. Maybe a deal can be reached so they get something back, but worst case for the Rays will be salary relief, hence my comment.
Huh?
Shocking!
Huh?
did they just designate their all star outfielder?
Obviously the Rays were thinkin…I don’t know what the hell they’re thinkin.
Are thinkin
WTF !!!
If only somebody had written an article answering these questions…
Lmao perfect
What?
Why would they prefer Cron over Dickerson?
They probably don’t. But when ownership is pressing them to cut payroll, you start to see desperate actions.
Will be interesting to see if this backfires.
You do understand this isn’t NFL contracts are guaranteed right
Arbitration contracts are not guaranteed, a club can release a player on or before the 16th day of Spring Training and be responsible for only 30 days worth of pay.
Best example I can give of this is Brett Lawrie made $4.125 million through Arbitration, in the year prior — agreed to take $3.5 million salary (Rare Arbitration pay-cut) — still got cut lol (so CHX paid a fraction of $3.5M they agreed upon to avoid Arb, after releasing him)
Brett hasn’t been in the league since.
Do you think he’s simply going to be placed on waivers, clear, and be released?
I don’t.
No, it’s for the purpose of showing dave13: “NFL contracts” may be seen in MLB, if you focus hard enough.
Still such a rare move, Lawrie’s the best example that comes to mind. I’m sure there are others, in often overlooked rule: “Cutting a player on or before the 16th day of Spring Training makes a team only responsible for 30 days of his Arbitration salary.”
My comment was directs at dave13. I should have cited his username.
The point about arbitration rules was valid (and apparently needed), but there should be little doubt that he’ll find a new team and Tampa won’t be responsible for his salary.
I’ve been wondering how in the heck Tampa will get rid of Ramos and Span. Maybe packaging one with Archer and the other with Colome. St. Louis could feasibly move Kelly in a package for Colome and use Ramos as a backup catcher.
I feel for Rays’ fans. It really isn’t fair to see decent players moved with salaries of just 6 million.
Next time, read the article. I know there are some big words in there, but we have complete confidence in you.
Orioles cut Miguel Gonzalez. Think he made it longer than the 16 days but they only owed a portion of his arb salary as well.
wtf
What in the world
I don’t get it?
Am I reading this right?
Not surprising that we traded cron, but rays really DFA’d dickerson???? They really couldn’t get ANY value for him? Is there a rays fan that has an explanation for this or are they as shocked as i am
They have 10 days to trade him before he is released
If/when he goes on waivers, somebody will claim him. The Rays might get something back, but worst case, they’ll get salary relief. Sad to see a franchise so desperate to shed salary.
Wonder if MLBPA will press for a minimum salary in the next CBA
Makes sense in a warped way. Rays need a right handed first baseman (Miller and Bauer are lefties). Cron is cheap solution. As for Dickerson the Rays outfield is left handed heavy – Kiermieier, Smith, Span, Dickerson. Dickerson odd man out due to Span being owed $13 million
Span is probably next. Wouldn’t surprise me to see him packaged with Odorizzi.
Shows how many teams are trying to bottom out.
White Sox have Adam Engel (who is a nice defensive player) hitting below the Mendoza and 3 highly regarded prospects at CF who are still a year or two away. They could claim him and flip him at the deadline.
Corey Dickerson is barely a corner outfielder. Don’t know how you think he’s going to be an everyday center fielder.
As an Angels fan, like, I would’ve taken Dickerson for Cron though?? No need to DFA just trade him to us straight up. As a 4th OF that’d be ridiculous depth
Is this so Ohtani can DH and Pujols is full time 1B or are they gonna go after Morrison/someone else?
They have Valbuena to play 1B when Pujols doesn’t. Don’t expect a move for a 1B here.
That’s a good question I imagine Ohtani will only dh 2-3 times a week so I’d assume valbuena will be the usual first baseman because pujols isn’t getting any younger
Angels had a clog at 1B/ DH with pujols valbuena and ohtani. This was just to clear space
I thought Valbuena was substandard, but I might be confusing him with another IF I can’t remember.
I think a healthy Valbuena has a lot of potential. He was really breaking out with the Astros in 2016 before the hamstring issue.
He still hit 22 homeruns despite his injury in the beginning of the year and was a lot better in the second half
Gotcha, makes sense for the Angels then.
Pretty sure this is so LA can sign Hosmer–maybe Duda as well.
For real? Not a chance. Where would Hosmer play for the Angels? Cron was in a logjam as it is.
It is hilarious that you took that as a serious comment, LMFAO right now.
well your sarcastic comment wasn’t funny in any way shape or form so idk how you want people to react
Not my comment dude.
Glad someone got the joke!
Well, that DFA makes no sense.
How do you designate Corey Dickerson? Must be another trade coming for him from another team. You know they are not going to eat Jos salary.
Something’s going on behind the scenes with Dickerson
Love Blockbuster Trades! Reminded me that, it’s Been a while since Jerry’s made a move… (Yes I know Jerry’s not the GM of the Angels anymore, just reminded me how long it has been without Jerry one)
MLBTR audience misses you, Jerry!!
On a more serious note, reading the Twitter announcement of that trade… , sad to read the Rays’ fans responses…
Dickerson put up 2.7 WAR, with .282/.325/.490 line, 27 homers
Dickerson screams Dipoto to me, they have no use for an outfielder right now but he’s only making a few million and I bet that Gamel doesn’t repeat last years performance.
Dickerson fits on the orioles. Could use an OF on a modest guarantee in case we aren’t comfortable with hays. His defense isn’t ideal but I doubt that detracts us. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him in BAL.
Would have rather the Angels had gotten rid of Luis Valbuena as Pujols backup at first. Whom are we getting back though? Probably a pitcher.
Halos aren’t getting much of anything back. Valbuena is a lot more expensive and was unproductive last year. He wasn’t going to be moved.
Eppler has said that there is a group of players that he will choose from. So it’s obviously something
Wtf are the Rays smoking and where can I get some?
Really? You want to make dumb decisions like dfa Corey Dickerson?
I mean yea, sure, but I mean it has to be one hell of a drug
well, he did play in Colorado
That just doesn’t make sense. Dickerson’s not a bad player offensively. I liked him. Someone will claim him easily
There’s gotta be more to this
Dickerson must have either failed a test or committed a major crime.
That’s along the lines of what I’m thinking as well
It’s gotta be
Guilty of being a Ray.
If it were the latter, you’d know of it by now.
Sox need to pick him up ASAP
Huh?
You know its a slow offseason when this generates 25 comments in 3 minutes
That’s great and oh so true!!
Or it could just be the fact that it’s an extremely strange, unexpected move
Dickerson was an AllStar last year. Won’t be unemployed for long. Questionable move by Rays.
This is a really surprising move for both teams… Everyone expected Cron to compete with Valbuena at 1B, and… Dickerson?? Why?? He’ll get claimed in a day!
Must be a corresponding move of some sort to make sense of this
something is definitely up
Rays that desperate to save 6 million?
And I don’t really get the Angels giving Cron away for nothing too
The Rays are just desperate to save…..period. Sure hope they get something for him. This stinks…..Miller stays but Dickerson goes? Huh?
I’d imagine the PTBNL won’t be a small fry. Probably a fringe reliever or infielder. They’ll get something decent back.
If it were the middle the season, I might be inclined to feel the same. But it’s Feb, they’ve had months to work out a deal and still nearly 2 months before the season starts.
To not figure out the deal before making it now leaves me believing the Angels likely told the Rays something along the lines of “we’re not sure what spots our minor league clubs will need filler for yet”
It’s a feeling reinforced by the statement the Angels gave on the situation, with them basically saying he was about to be waived because he was out of options
So while possible, I just wouldn’t be expecting someone interesting
Makes 0 sense
Whaaaaat , this has to be typo. An all star that is owed $6m. And they cut him ? Marlins should pick him up for major league min and let the Rays pay for him
Marlins wouldn’t be able to do that. No way Dickerson clears waivers and even if he did the Rays could just outright him to AAA. He doesn’t have enough service time to elect free agency.
Claiming team would be on hook for Salary. So Rays cut 6 million this way, seeing as he’s sure to be claimed
That’s dumb move to save 6mil. Dickerson has trade value. Anyways can’t he pass some kind of waiver and be signed for league minimum?
No he can not be signed for league minimum. He would have to clear waivers which he won’t and even if he did he doesn’t have enough service time to reject an outright assignment.
Yeah, have to assume he’ll likely be traded too. But if they failed to trade and were forced into having to expose to waivers, he’d def be claimed.
So… they’re going to try to trade Dickerson then right?
Even if this is their plan, what leverage do they have now that teams know he’ll be a free agent if they don’t trade for him? Puzzling
He won’t be a free agent, he doesn’t have the service time. He will go to Triple A.
He isn’t necessarily on waivers yet. This could be a ploy to kickstart a bidding war. Easy to envision more than a handful of teams being interested. They could actually restore him to the roster if they wanted to.
Braves snatch him up!
Early for theory’s, but possibly the same guy who hacked the Padres twitter hacked the Rays twitter and tweeted this?
Came through MLB’s official roster moves Twitter page as well.
Failed a drug test my dude
gotta be a mistake???
Braves!
Twins or Red Sox could probably find some DH at bats for Dickerson for just 6 million.
He kind of blew in the second half, although it doesn’t really justify DFA
Now this is the comedy I was searching for.
You get rid of your best player, Why?
Archer and Colome are better
Conditioner is better!
Lol
Oops I’m sure he meant best position player then
Dickerson has been a staple in my franchise mode for years. Would be nice to see him go to a winner
Ummm… am I reading that right? Did they really DFA Corey Dickerson? The same Corey Dickerson that made the All-Star game last year? Why?
Tigers need to claim him. I’d be surprised if they don’t since they are 1st on waiver priority
Yes please. this would be a smart pickup for a young rebuilding team.
I’m thinking that they found no takers for Spann and his 9 mil and Dickerson has a market so bye bye Corey and hello Denard.
Strange
Imagine if the Red Sox get him, the Royals get LOMO and one of the big suiters for a pitcher gets Archer or Fulmer? Boras would be crying himself to sleep..
Haha yeah I was just thinking that.
A Dickerson DFA doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Actually, it makes no sense at all. Even with his second half struggles, Dickerson still hit .282 last season & also hit .306 with RISP. He also had 27 homers and 62 RBI’s. I would think some team would want to add a player with those numbers.
I doubt that they would trade for him, but the Braves could use his power bat. Dickerson would be a much better option than Markakis (who could be dumped or ride the pine). In a few weeks after the season starts it could be Dickerson, Inciarte and Acuna patrolling SunTrust Park.
Is it possible CD failed a drug test, or perhaps the Rays GM failed his drug test?
Dean Spanos has to be the GM/Owner
Will Jake Odorizzi be the player to be named later?,
Nah, according to MLB.com Jake could become an ace in 2018. They wouldn’t do that!
no, he was traded to the twins
COLLUSION.
Hold on, they dfa’ed Corey Dickerson? What is the logic behind that? He’s a 25+ homer, 280 guy, who make the all star game last year. And it’s not like Dickerson is getting paid a substantial amount.
Lol they traded for a guy who is worse than the guy the DFA’d to clear space for. This is unbelievable. Great return for Odorizzi too.
What a classless organization.
These owners and gms are snakes. They are all colluding with each other. Who ever has first priority on the waiver wire has already been in negotiations with the Rays. Guy is a CAREER .280 HITTER IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES. how on hell can you DFA THIS GUY ?
The collusion argument is so laughably silly, it’s actually pathetic.
Could you imagine all 30 teams coming together and collectively agreeing to not improve by signing players?
And have you ever seen 30 people collectively agree on anything unanimously?
Are you high ? Why don’t you take a look at the rays roster and see who ELSE they could have DFAd instead of their most productive hitter.
They don’t agree to not sign a guy. They agree to not offer a guy what he’s asking for. They call each other up and say hey are you going to give JD Martinez 130 mil? If so then we’re out on him. Hey we’re going to DFA Dickerson and you guys have first priority. Claim him and let’s make a deal.
That’s not collusion.
@mrnatewalter
Good luck with this one, man. Yesterday he was hollering about a supposed conspiracy hes uncovered to artificially inflate SDs attendance to its documented 2.15 million range
I just found the comments you’re referencing. Yeah, this guy is a real piece of work. Wow.
The point is, Dickerson is a very productive hitter, and they dfa’ed him for a guy who doesn’t have a track record like he does.
Right, unless there’s more we don’t know, it’s completely silly.
But a collective agreement of collusion is the most absurd, ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard.
Right. Because there’s never been anything shady go on in Major League Baseball. Wake up buddy.
That’s a nice fallacy you’ve got there.
OK, I’ll bite…
What would this particular act of “collusion” achieve?
Not signing free agents depresses salaries, got it. But, how does DFA’ing this player help their “snake” like goals?
He doesn’t even know what collusion is.
Don’t give him too much credit.
He’s just a troll. I was arguing with him last week over another collusion claim.
There has to be some bad news coming out about Dickerson.
Can Dickerson play center? Cubs should get him for some minor leaguers
And he would fit… where?
Did you read? Center duh
Quit smoking the same stuff the Rays are. Dickerson will get a deal to play everyday. That means the White Sox are a batter fit for him.
Batter and better, be it as their primary DH and as a part time LF.
No
Dickerson is not a center fielder, he’d have to play LF or RF.
Kinda figured, Keiremeier or however you spell it is the cf. he will get traded I’m sure. Hope the guy goes to a contender.
There’s cheap, and then there’s stupid. This is the latter.
If I’m the Rockies upper management, I’d think really hard about claiming him.
No team can claim Corey Dickerson unless the Rays place Dickerson on waivers.
Dickerson was designated for assignment, which means the Rays have seven days to trade Dickerson, restore him to the 40-man roster or place him on waivers.
m.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/designate-for-assi…
I suspect the Rays have a trade lined up.
As others have said. This makes zero sense from a baseball or even Rays financial perspective. I’m guessing this is probably a failed test of some kind.
A failed drug test would result in a suspension, which would make a waiver claim less likely. This was most likely strictly about shedding salary. We know ownership wanted payroll cut. Someone will take him and the salary. The bigger question is who, if anyone, Tampa will get back.
Bold move cotton let’s see if it pays off
Hate to CDick leave
Never forget. The rays traded Jake McGee, and German Marquez for Dickerson.
Wow
This is why the rays are one of the MLBs worst run franchises
They draft and develop there players so well but the MLB level decisions are just so so so awful and why they never can sustain success
Juicy Bananas?
Oakland, Atlanta, Miami, KC, and CWS just got lottery tickets…
No room for him in ATL
Maybe no payroll space, but finding room for Dickerson in the outfield is as easy as making Markakis ride the pine (or DFA or trade him). The Braves definitely NEED the power and Dickerson isn’t a horrible outfielder either.
Of course there is. Think Markakis is going to stick around long or couldn’t move to the bench?
He has to clear AL before any NL team can claim him, if he even goes to waivers. He would never make it unclaimed through the AL if it even gets to that point.
Mets go get him
Stupid terrible deal for tb wow.
Rays and twins have made a trade…
Can Dickerson play 1st? I wouldn’t mind see the Cards make a claim if he has any use at 1st base. They’ve been eyeing power at 1st since Albert left.
Someone should be fired for this! Wtf are they thinking.
Hopefully this finally answers Angels fan question about how much Cron is worth in a trade.
Absolutely nothing. Which is what I’ve been saying for years.
Never doubt the power of the all mighty PTBNL.
Most underrated trade return in the game.
“Cash considerations” on the other hand.. You are correct. Absolutely nothing. Kind of a Troll return tbh..
I could see the Padres picking him up.
dickerson traded to the twins.
Even if he failed a drug test it would be his first offense, right? Unless the team has a zero tolerance policy they should just let him be suspended. It wouldn’t cost them money cause he wouldn’t get paid while out.
It might be something very serious….
Det and SF would have first claim at this time of year. They shared the worst record. Not sure how the tie is broken but I don’t see how he gets passed SF unless there luxury cap prevents them.
Never mind, not sure how it works when DFA is involved. Hearing TB could already have a trade worked out.
I believe the team with the weakest record in the player’s league gets preference.
AL clubs get first crack at him.
That is only during the season. Right now it goes by all team records. Not sure how it works since he was DFA’ed though.
I think it goes to runs for and against.
It’s a Saturday night…Maybe the Rays “brain trust “ are sitting around, drinking (cheap) booze, and someone hangs up the phone and says “ we got C J Cron” ..Someone else says “ we need to make a move”. A third guy says WWWJMD???…the others look confused…he says “ What Would Whacky Joe Maddon Do”….DFA our All Star Outfielder !!!…. A hurrah, clink glasses, and call it…
Cron for Dickerson straight up would’ve made sense if I was the angels. The most the angels will get is a lottery ticket far far away from the majors. As an A’s fan I think they should claim Dickerson if possible
I’m thinking a lottery ticket .. probably someone from the rays top 15 prospects at least
A top 15 prospect would be a good return. You definitely didn’t get that.
Odorizzi to Twins.
Kind of blowing off the lead. Why are the rays waiving Dickerson
If I were the Red Sox, I’d much rather have Dickerson on the cheap than JD Martinez.
Definitely
So when did Neil Huntington become the GM for the Rays?
Neil Huntington isn’t stupid, I think you meant Dave Stewart right?
Dumbass organization
Very cheap, but maybe it has to do with the Odorizzi trade
Very shocking. Why not Designate Brad Miller when hes been inconsistent. Dickerson will definitely be signed if hes not traded. Dickerson was there best player.
The Rays owners should just sell the team if they don’t have the money to keep their players. Letting go of a quality player because of $6 million is a joke
I think they were doing this so they could add a piece, boost their rotation, and then add Dickerson back to the 40 man.
I highly doubt they will be able to get Dickerson back and they also just traded Odorizzi so they clearly aren’t looking to improve the rotation. It seems like the Rays are content with just existing and never actually being legitimate contenders
Well, trading Odorizzi clears a 40 man spot which the Rays could fill in with Dickerson.
If they planned on keeping Dickerson he would not have been DFA’d earlier. Getting rid of him seeems like it was strictly for financial reasons
Every team has a budget. The Red Sox signed Moreland instead of JD Martinez or Eric Hosmer; the Yankees are playing unproven prospects at 2B or 3B; the Pirates sold their two most recognizable players. Every team operates with financial constraints. It sucks that the Rays’ budget is so small, but they apparently have to do these things to operate. If getting rid of Odorizzi and Dickerson means that they can keep Archer, it’s probably a wise decision.
Rays fans deserve better. Owners monopolise their local market – if they can’t afford to keep a guy that productive because he earns 6mil, then they need to be shown the door, or trade down to owning an MiLB team.
Rays are one of my favorite teams to watch since they playin the East where teams invest heavily on their rosters, when the Rays always make a team on a small budget and compete.
hopefully the halos can turn right around and claim dickerson, effectively trading cron for dickerson. they need an established 4th OF who can spell any of their outfielders on any day, and they have the salary space to fit dickerson in.
It is not about preferring Cron over Dickerson from a baseball point of view. This is all about money, pure and simple.And if they can swing a deal before the 10 days are up the better. Hard to be a Rays fan. Didn’t they just trade some good pieces to acquire Dickerson? Why wouldn’t they trade him in advance? Like I said hard to be a Rays fan.
It used to be fun being a Rays fan, but since Maddon & Friedman left it’s been a steep slide into not fun. The ownership & MLB are likely setting up big change. They will play hardball in terms for the Tampa location and then bail on the area entirely. Stew Sternberg wants to own the Mets, not the Rays.
Why does Florida have two baseball teams again? You can combine both of them and they’d still only somewhat resemble a major league team. Sad.
Hockey does better in Florida than baseball.
Attention Red Sox! Forget about JDM and grab Dickerson please.
Have to assume he’ll be traded. If they were forced to expose him to waivers he probably gets claimed by the Tigers.
whaat? Go get Dickerson Bravos!
Well, well, well… the Tampa Bottom Feeders strike again and release a player of value cause his salary is WAY too high for their liking—a stratospheric $6 million.
THIS is one of the problems MLB needs to rectify: the luxury tax paid by The Big Boys is supposed to go toward PLAYER PROCUREMENT. That and to help offset the contracts of those like Dickerson, who must have what, about the 500th highest salary in the bigs? The COMPETIVE BALANCE money given to “small market” franchises is not meant to go straight into the pockets of an owner and used for nothing more than augment the annual profits sucked out of the franchise. It’s NOT meant to further enrich carpetbagger owners like the clown who unfortunately bought the Bottom Feeders.
If an owner can’t afford—or refuses—to have a payroll higher than $25 million or so, then do the 18 or 19 remaining fans of teams like the Bottom Feeders a favor and sell to someone who CAN. Seriously, if the guy wants to field a glorified Triple A team, then buy a REAL one and charge minor league ticket and concession prices, instead of forcing those 18 or 19 masochists…errr…fans, to pay big league prices to watch minor league talent play against REAL big leaguers.
Moves like this are why I think a strike is likely.
They couldn’t find a buyer in a trade for a relatively cheap, somewhat above average outfielder? And instead have to DFA him and get nothing?
If teams are that unwilling to spend, a strike is going to happen sooner than later…
A player’s strike? For what?? Cause owners are no longer willing to toss way too much money for far too many years to a player who insists he be paid for what he already HAS done, rather than what he’s likely TO do?
Free agency is supply and demand. In case you don’t know what means: when the supply greatly exceeds the demand, value plummets. There are way too many “slightly above average players” on the open market, right now, who can hit 25 homers a season. That those same owners have shown an eagerness to reward good relief pitchers with generous contracts this offseason verifies my statement and pokes a colassal hole in the supposition of those whining about collusion and threatening to strike.
Too, why trade a good prospect for Dickerson when a team can just sign someone like FA Lucas Duda, who provides pretty much the same skill set?
Players expecting to be showered with the same riches over long contracts—as were their predecessors—must come to terms with the new reality: those days are OVER. Someome like JD Martinez has been smacked in the face by the fact that NO ONE is going to pay him $30 million a season, over seven years, for the two month hot streak he had last year, one accomplished by playing in a stadium located in the second highest altitude in the bigs. The Mets made the same mistake with Cespedes, a couple years ago. And look how that has worked out for them.
Especially when the past performance of Martinez indicates he’s basically a 27 HRs a year guy.
Top players like Machado and Harper are going to get mamouth contracts next FA period, as will those with skill sets in demand, like quality relievers. But the days of those “slightly above average” players expecting their own salaries to ride the wave of the huge salaries offered to superstars, is over, at least for the time being. That GMs now want to pay decent but unexceptional players for being just that, should not be surprising. What is, is that it took those same GMs all these years to finally wake up and smell this new version of reality.
Players have no one to blame but themselves, for the quandary many are in now. THEY agreed to a new CBA which greatly incentives the traditional big spenders to get team payroll under the tax threshold, every three years, so as to reset the penalty paid on overage in the other two years. That the board of the MLBPA didn’t or couldn’t see this as a “true outcome,” is their own collectively bargained fault. Pity.
Cespedes is doing well when healthy he hit .292
A dfa gives them 10 days to get something via trade if they don’t have one lined up already. Easy on the strike boss.
Orioles y’all want a left handed hitter…hello!! go get Dickerson
um, can you not rays, you stupid idiot franchise
I am no longer a rays fan if this is what that penny pinching idiot sternberg thinks is a good idea…way to crap on Dickerson and the fans…he gets revenue sharing AND just received $50 mil as his portion from the sale of BAMtech! wtf?!? that’s not enough that you have to dfa our best hitter? what a cheap a-hole…way to ruin a franchise, stupid sternberg.
Jump on Dickerson, San Francisco
This !!!
This has Giants plastered all over it. Would be foolish not to at least try and acquire him.
If Sabes can somehow get this guy for cheap I’ll cry tears of joy. It’s not like they don’t trade with Tampa often.
What the hell are they putting in the water in Florida ?
Interesting thought, with Dickerson being DFA’d I wouldn’t mind seeing STL making a move for him. Trade value is undoubtably pretty low and he could drastically improve their lineup. Maybe try to stick him at 1st and move carp to 3rd with Gyorko moving into utility IF
Florida is a great Spring training state and MLB farm system…
This has Giants plastered all over it. Would be foolish not to at least try and acquire him.
Hoping CJ finds his success with the Rays. And for those who are wondering about DFA’ing Corey Dickerson, the Rays did that to increase trade interest. It’s rare to do it with a $6 million dollar salary. But that’s their intention.
Braves get Dickerson. Trade Wisler and a AAAA guy for him. Then trade Markakis.
Why didn’t the Angels take Dickerson back as MTBNL? He would be the perfect 4th outfielder for the Angels.
Seriously and at only ~$6M in a year where we don’t have to worry about Josh Hamilton’s contract anymore.
Because he can’t play center.. angels are only going to have 3 bench guys, one has to be an OF that fan play center
This is also indicative of a bigger problem in that the Rays need new management. The MLB needs to do what the NBA did in bringing in owners with tons of money (Tillman Fertitta of the Rockets and Steve Ballmer with the Clippers) who are willing to spend money. When Magic and co. bought the Dodgers, they had a great impact on MLB with their willingness to spend. Every team needs to be able to spend to take their team over the top, but teams like the Rays will never be in a position to succeed. It’s gotta suck as such a low-budget team to know that having made the WS in 2007 is going to be the biggest thing that franchise ever does.
It was actually 2008 (lost to the Phillies)
But Agreed, on all points.
Makes me wonder why they gave Romo a 2.5 million dollar deal that’s guaranteed. You could have got a player on a minor league contract and found success within since they done that in the past. I know Romo was great for them but i thought they were slashing payroll.
How have the Braves not jumped all over this already what is the point of having such a deep farm when you dont even jump at the chance to get a guy for basically nothing. Look at what the got for Ordorizzi you mean yo tell me they are holding out for a huge package for him not a chance straight salary dump
Hope we get him before the Orioles do and then move Markakis to the O’s
Yeah, because someone really wants Markakis. Not. If the Rays couldn’t trade Dickenson. What makes you think someone will trade for Markakis?
The Orioles are in the same league as the Rays, so I think their waiver position is higher. As a Braves fan, I’d love for the Braves to pick up CD. If they did, they could package Markakis along with $6M and a prospect to maybe get something back in a trade. They’d break even salary-wise. Markakis has no power, but he still gets on base a lot. If the A’s are still playing Moneyball, maybe they’d take him?
Don’t understand this move. Wonder if it was more than a salary dump that influenced the decision. Either way i like Dickerson and i know he will he claimed somewhere. Read an article on fangraphs on how he is the best “bad balls” hitter in baseball. Literally would turn nothing into something.
The White Sox should be first in line to make a waiver claim/trade for Corey Dickerson as he goes through the DFA process. He’d be a younger and cheaper candidate than FA’s Logan Morrison, Lucas Duda or Carlos Gonzalez to fill their need for a left-handed power hitter who can DH and also fill in at a corner OF spot.
As I recall, the White Sox were interested in acquiring Dickerson while he was still a member of the Rockies and before he was eventually dealt to the Rays for a package that included excellent southpaw reliever Jake McGee during the 2015-2016 offseason. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the Rays already have a trade pending for Dickerson in anticipation of the C.J. Cron acquisition. Hopefully that deal will involve the White Sox.
Tablet froze but my point I was trying to make is that some times on the outside it seems players are better or worse than they really are when given platoon roles; sometimes it’s a matter of getting more at bats at the plate to feel more comfortable and thus more opportunties to play. It may seems like they are worse because they aren’t getting as many plate apearences but in reality it may be because a lack of opportunity. I feel Cron is one of those hitters, and underrated. There is a give and take relationship with platoon roles, but interestingly somehow and sometimes coaches expect their players to be better or at an expected rate when getting less at bats than they usually do. Also the high and fast learning curve plays a role, you might have 3 good years and 1 bad year then all of a sudden you change your approach lol. In sum, I’d give Cron a chance. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, but other times and more often imo, platoon roles don’t work out well (in the long run).
Unfortunately for cron though he’s had 1475 ABs. Typically, at that point you are who you are
Those at bats though were really broke up however, not consistently one after another. For example in 2017 he had only 93 PA vs LHP compared to 280 as a right handed pitchers. I’m not saying he would do better vs LHP, but overall I think more at bats can help players strengths and weaknesses rather than platoon. It doesn’t make sense to me to give hitters less at bats than they normally do given the sports difficulty and expect them to produce at a normal or exceeding rate the way I see it. Maybe one or two years a platoon role works out, but not in the long run imo, usually.
Man it is tiring hearing ppl say this team should claim him or that team should claim him. Whoever has the 1st waiver claim will more than likely put a claim in because with that production for that salary he is an asset & at the very least would be trade material for the end of spring training when teams loose guys and are looking for replacements. They have 10 days to TRADE him and they will do that. They are not going to let him walk for nothing.
That is why he was the one put on waivers because the market is moving slow and teams are waiting for Hosmer/Martinez’s/Duda/LoMo to sign and are not willing to give up anything of value when they could sign a similar player and not lose anything. But the free agents are waiting to sign until JD signs but hopefully Hosmer has everybody fall in line now. JD May wait until the season starts to sign somewhere.
Tampa needed a roster spot so they DFA’d him to trade him.
This tells me that absolutely nobody wanted to touch Span. Span is guaranteed for 18 so Dickerson with the option was the only move they could make to cut $$$$.
Twins have to be laughing.
Perhaps they can get Archer for a non-rated AA infielder?
It’s going to get real ugly in Tampa as Stu let’s this team try to Houston itself. The Corporate support for the Rays is minimal.
I look for these guys to start the process for relocation.
Field of Schemes 101.
Span is guaranteed 15 million (11m in 2018, 4m buyout for 2019) and 2 million is covered by San Francisco, so Tampa is on the hook for 13 million.
They could likely package him with Archer, though they’d still likely have to eat a little.
A’s Beane should try to pry Dickerson away… Come on Billy, right now…
The A’s were the first team I thought of as a fit. But Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Boston, Chicago WS, Colorado, Toronto, KC, Arizona, Cleveland, San Fran, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and maybe Minnesota as well, are all feasible. There’s no shortage of potential fits.
Not Minnesota. If that was and option they would’ve packages him with Jake Odorizzi
Pittsburgh is a PERFECT fit… which is precisely why it will not happen, unfortunately. LOL
If the rays lose Dickerson , and the dbacks don’t get Martinez this has them all over it.
Phillies grab Dickerson….then trade Odubel Herrera and Caesar Hernandez to Rays in a package for Chris Archer. Solved. Lol
I thought Denard Span would’ve been dfa’d. But the rays caught me off guard with this one, please stop designating decent players for assignment.
As a Braves fan, I’d love for the Braves to pick up CD. If they did, they could package Markakis along with $6M and a prospect to maybe get something back in a trade. They’d break even salary-wise. Markakis has no power, but he still gets on base a lot. If the A’s are still playing Moneyball, maybe they’d take him?
I agree Aaron that the White Sox should try to acquire Corey Dickerson. What type of prospect package would you think it would take to acquire him?
Toss them a few pitchers headed by like fulmer.
Wow, these posts are comical. Dickerson was NOT placed on waivers. I’ll spare you the suspense, he WON’T be placed on waivers. The Rays simply bought time with the DFA, if they don’t trade him, they’ll make another move and put him back on the 40 man.
Wow… Sounds more like something the Pirates would do.
If that is the case, then why Dickerson? Just for the drama of it?
Wow… Sounds more like something the Pirates would do.