Earlier this afternoon the Indians acquired veteran outfielder Chris Dickerson from the Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.

Dickerson has always been a liability at the plate, but provides the Indians a huge upgrade defensively—and considering how Raburn and Murphy have been hitting lately, the hitting isn’t even a downgrade.

According to Fan Graphs, Dickerson has accumulated a career +16 Defensive Runs Saved and has positive values at all three outfield positions.

Dickerson’s last major league experience came in 2013 for the Orioles, although he hit .309 with a .407 OBP at the Pirates triple-a affiliate in Indianapolis.

To make room on the roster for Dickerson, the Tribe designated George Kottaras for assignment, leaving Carlos Santana as the backup catcher. This move is somewhat surprising, since it means Tyler Holt—also a strong defensive outfielder with little offense—remains on the roster.

4 Comments

  • The Doctor says:

    sure, the sample sizes are vastly different, but dickerson would actually appear to be more competent with the bat than bourn – .262/.339/.406 to bourn’s .270/.334/.365

    having looked that up, how has a guy with a career .334 OBP bamboozled managers into thinking he’s a leadoff guy for so long?

    • Ryan McCrystal says:

      By this logic, you must be outraged that the Indians just cut ties with Kottaras and his 1.099 OPS

      • Goose says:

        I think his point was more about Bourn’s longtime OBP issues than about Dickerson actually being better at the plate.

      • The Doctor says:

        i’m outraged that kottaras was ever on the team to begin with.