11:20am: Dickerson is guaranteed $5MM on the contract and can boost that salary via incentives, tweets Feinsand.
10:52am: The Cardinals have agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent outfielder Corey Dickerson, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The deal is pending a physical. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com first reported that the two sides were close to a deal (via Twitter). Dickerson, a client of Excel Sports Management, would give the Cards a nice left-handed complement to a heavily right-handed lineup.
Dickerson, 32, spent the bulk of the past two seasons in Miami after signing a two-year, $17MM deal with the Marlins in the 2019-20 offseason. The Blue Jays acquired him last summer while he was on the injured list due to a foot injury. Dickerson returned in August and hit quite well in 140 plate appearances with the Jays down the stretch, offsetting a less-productive start to his season in Miami.
Since signing that two-year deal with the Fish, Dickerson carries a .266/.321/.406 batting line with 13 home runs, 23 doubles, six triples and seven stolen bases (in 13 tries). Dickerson’s power has dipped since his peak with the Rays, which included a 27-homer effort during an All-Star 2017 season, but he remains a relatively tough strikeout who can handle right-handed pitching pretty well. In 312 plate appearances against righties last season, Dickerson slashed .277/.330/.419 (104 wRC+).
From a defensive standpoint, Dickerson has been a pure left fielder for the bulk of his career, though the Jays did trot him out for 62 innings this past season. Sometimes regarded as a defensive liability early in his career, Dickerson worked to radically improved his glovework in the middle of his career, culminating in a 2018 season that saw him post 15 Defensive Runs Saved and take home an NL Gold Glove while playing with the Pirates. His ratings have fallen off since then — as one might expect from a player entering his mid-30s and dealing with multiple foot and hamstring injuries. Still, defensive metrics felt he was a roughly average defender in 2021.
A roughly average hitter with average glovework in the outfield might not bring about tons of excitement among the fanbase, but for a Cardinals club whose only pure left-handed hitter is young Lars Nootbaar, he’ll give the lineup some needed balance. Both Dylan Carlson and Tommy Edman are switch-hitters, so it’s not as though St. Louis was entirely right-handed, but the Cardinals hit just .240/.310/.396 against right-handed pitching as a team last year with primarily the same lineup they were slated to carry prior to this agreement.
Dickerson can rotate into the mix across the outfield, either spelling right-handed-hitting Tyler O’Neill and Harrison Bader entirely or perhaps giving O’Neill the occasional breather at the newly created National League DH position. Dickerson himself could also see his share of at-bats as the DH against righties. His signing might cut into some playing time for Nootbaar and 24-year-old corner infielder Juan Yepez, but playing time tends to open up over for such players over the course of a season, particularly as injuries mount. Dickerson will provide the Cards with some veteran depth and allow them to ease some of their young hitters into the mix.
I approve of this development.
Now get a pitcher.
Wow, It was rumored a few years ago that the Cardinals were really interested in Blackmon and Dickerson, but at the end the Cardinals went in another direction and acquired Ozuna instead when he was with Miami. Great addition by Mozeliak signing Dickerson. This closes a reunion with Albert Pujols because the Cards were looking to add a left handed bat.
That one only cost them Alcantara.
Was gallen in that one too?
He was
Now reminding me Gallen was in that one makes me look less fondly on management.
Not necessarily. Dickerson can play the OF corners and Carlson can play CF so it doesn’t mean they couldn’t also bring back Albert if they really wanted to
Pujols isn’t a lefty, dope.
Sid Bream Speed Demon- I think you are missing the fact that Pujols hits better against lefties than righties.
But that doesn’t make Pujols a “lefty bat” like Dickerson is.
Pujols still bats right so this signing has nothing to do with him possibly batting against left handing pitching.
Poop (is that OK?), for just $1M more, Mo could have had Villar, who switches, offers IF depth and is two years younger.
NOT a “great addition.”
Meh, for just $1M more, Mo could have had infield depth and utility, and a switch-hitter, in Villar.
I like it
Say what?
Unexciting but solid addition.
Looks like there is a run on LH outfielders.
When’s Gardner arriving?!
Brian Cashman calling Brett Gardner: “Hello Brett, it’s Bria-”
Brett Gardner; “You had me at ‘hello'”
What about Tommy Pham as a 4th outfielder; .724 OPS, 15 jacks, 14 steals, & was the Padres opening day CF.
On top of that ship having sailed, Tommy would be relegated to a bench role on this team…and I don’t think that makes him a fit for the Cards or Tommy.
My bad, @Unc.
Was looking at him for the Yanks. Not your Cardinals.
Cardinals DH
This could be a sneaky good pickup for the Redbirds
How’s his defense? Looks like the guy can hit but surprised his output last year only equaled .3 war. Wondered if that meant his defense wasn’t very good
He had a down year at the plate last year, it looks like. But he’s a 5th outfielder who’s only going to hit against righties (where his splits are better), I assume, so I doubt his defense or his numbers against lefties will matter much at all.
Dickerson won a gold glove, he’s more than solid in the OF
4 Years ago he won a gold glove lol. Andrew McCutchen won GG’s too, no ones beating the horse to put him in CF… Serviceable DIckerson is, not solid.
You don’t just all of a sudden suck in the field at 32, he’s not 35 and tumbling down the aging curve. He will be above average in both corner of spots.
He’s just a good, hard nosed player. I mean, what else needs to be said? Puts forth incredible effort in the field and has the talent. He’s a difficult out at the plate. This was yet another mysterious move by the Pirates front office a few years ago, when they essentially gave him away.
He’s not the superstar type which is why he’s a journeyman, I guess, but the Cards got a good one
Rafael Palmeiro won a Gold Glove, as a DH. Gold Gloves aren’t a particularly good measuring stick…
That GG season was his only decent defensive season lol.. I doubt he gets a lot of time in the outfield.
Decent in LF, but not viable elsewhere since his arm is weak. Plus speed, at least earlier in his career, which helps.
I feel like this guy is going to end up playing for 15 different teams in his career.
Theres no excuse for st.louis to not go get montas or manea. Either one would help tremendously
Agreed 100%.
Is it a goal to post a daily inane comment generally spending other team’s money or prospects?
Downvoter. You need to see a mental health expert badly. The amount of vitriol you have for anybody who’s comment u dont like or disagree with is bizarre and abnormal. Im not just a fan of the Astros but mlb in general.
Astros2017 general game plan:
IF someone disagrees with my (poorly) thought-out comment, or disputes with actual facts:
1)click my own upvote “anonymously” and then, by god, change the subject and attack commenter name
2)change subject and toss out irrelevant attempts at insults
3)ignore and hope article gets buried deep in the archives by newer articles
4)go to rule 1.
Moran would’ve been a better LH fit imo as he plays first and third and could spell Goldy and Arenado while they DH occasionally.
I presume they’re leaving that role open for Gorman if he can take it.
Edman and Sosa are both capable to slot in any infield position as a stop-gap. No need to rush Gorman…even though he’s an exciting player we’re all wanting to see.
I just mean if they want a lefty specifically.
I always wanted the RedBirds to sign him. His defense is at least average, and be is tough out.
In my fantasy world we still sign Pujols and Waino, Molina and Pujols go out together with one more ring!
5 million? Really?
1 year. Who cares?
Yea it’s a great deal for the cardinals! Guy hits well and has decent defense. Very good value for that price.
He’s easily worth 5 million in this market.
Good pickup. This is one of those signings that helps shape a potential playoff roster.
I believe Pujols is still a fit, especially for the younger players.
With this addition, there’s not really a spot for Albert, unless someone is traded off the bench or Edman/Sosa are moved…and I really don’t think any of the three players I mentioned will be moved for Albert.
Albert’s only real value is hitting lefties and Dickerson fills that role and has more defensive upside.
Dickerson does not hit LH’ers well.. Still a spot for Pujols if they want to go that direction, IMO.
Albert’s only value is in selling tickets. This team needs current-day talent, not nostalgia.
I think this is a solid addition to the Cards. I also understand Dickerson has a good attitude, enjoyed his recent time in Toronto, and is a good team player. Part of what I heard about Dickerson was in this article.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/mlb/fa-corey-dickerson-waits-out-lockout-limbo-after-time-with-blue-jays-lit-my-fire-again/ar-AATtXn8?msclkid=1e55bed5a61211ecbb2a12b0d64a993f
I don’t see how his skill set differs from Nootbaar’s, except Dickerson has more experience. I can’t help but think the Cardinals could have done a lot better in finding that LH bat. Dickerson, Wittgren and VerHagen seem like very cheap solutions to genuine problems.
With Yepez and Gorman being so close, this bit of very tradeable depth makes sense.
Sosa and Edman can be moved around at will, so Dickerson is a fit as a guy who hits lefties, but also has a good glove…and all three of the Cards’ starting outfielders spent significant time on the IL last year.
Versatile. Tradeable. Solid enough. Cheap. Short contract.
Makes perfect sense.
He’s not versatile, having played one position his whole career. And tradeable doesn’t seem like a quality attribute for a team with World Series aspirations. Kind of a “meh” deal.
They had the opportunity to solidify their need for a LH power outfield in 2019 by signing Harper.
Mo finally signs a player that makes sense and really isn’t a discount rack kind of guy. Now if he would invest in a decent pitcher or two, I’d be happy.
Low risk, potential decent reward. Doesn’t blow the roof off, but solid move, especially when the dog dogs in Saint Louis heat and injuries roll around…
Good pickup by the Cards. I was wishing he would have been brought back by the Jays as a much needed lefty bat.
Poor guy. Lowered my respect for him by choosing that destination
I’m ok with this in that it hopefully puts an end to Colin Moran ideas. Ideally this is the niche for Nootbaar but doesn’t hurt to make sure he is ready with another year at AAA and MLB at bats when others out with injury.
$5mil wasted, and you’re going to spell tyler with corey? whatever for?
People tend to forget Tyler O’Neill has an injury history and inconsistency issues as well. With him and Bader you could see DL stints.
It’s not a great signing but it’s good enough. He’ll likely DH. bunch and spell LF. Yepez likely takes the days when a lefty is on the bump.
can he pitch?
Flaherty is getting a second opinion and Alex rays is going to see the tommy John specialist james andrews, both are very ominous. Cards need another starting pitcher stat
Congrats to him being able to play another year for another pay day.
Stay as long as you can get a job Corey!
Although I like Corey Dickerson, the Cardinals’ MiLB is strong. They have a couple players they should be giving some ABs to over Dickerson. LH hitting 2B Nolan Gorman, RF Alec Burleson, 3B Brendon Donovan and/or RH hitting 1B Juan Yepez. All four are blocked from getting any real playing time.
Exactly. 5 million isn’t a lot, but it could have been better spent elsewhere. IF the young guys showed they weren’t ready, this is the type of player you could find later during the season. This is a “do something to say we did something” move.
They need to pursue Trevor Bauer.
The Cards are in need of a starting pitcher at this point. I am still intrigued by Joe Kelly as he would serve as a spot starter as well as bullpen conversion and would do well at both roles
Kelly signed with the White Sox. He also hasn’t started a game in five years or so.