Which Dickerson Did The Rays Buy?

February 15th, 2016

What did the Rays really get for Jake McGee and friends?

The Rays seek more pop after their bats petered out too often in key moments last season.

Enter Corey Dickerson, who Matt Silverman and Co. hope is more Jekyll than Hyde.

The 26-year-old outfielder comes to Tampa Bay after pushing around pitchers for most of his three Rockies seasons at Coors Field. Enjoying that batters’ playground in the Mile High City, Dickerson hit .355 with a .410 on-base percentage and a 1.085 OPS.

But his numbers away from Denver? Eh, not so great.

He hit .249 with a .286 on-base percentage and a .695 OPS at other locales.

So, which Dickerson do the Rays have?

If Dickerson recaptures his Colorado crush, Tampa Bay will benefit from his production after finishing 14th in the American League in runs last year. But if he suffers a power outage, particularly early, expect howling on both sides of the Bay about how this trade went down.

Joe is eager to see how Dickerson will adapt after arriving in a four-player deal that sent reliever and all-around good guy Jake McGee to that pitcher’s graveyard in the Rocky Mountains.

If all goes well, Dickerson will give manager Kevin Cash more flexibility throughout the season for a lineup desperate for more muscle.

Already, Dickerson has plenty of motivation to serve a hot pile of crow to his critics after they cackled about his splits away from Coors Field.

Joe’s fine with the gamble. Dickerson has the potential to be a difference-maker.

 

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