PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder Corey Dickerson from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for a player to be named and $250,000 in international signing money.
Dickerson is hitting .317 with 18 doubles, four homers and 25 RBIs with a .931 OPS in 43 games this season. He grounded out as a pinch-hitter earlier in the day during Pittsburgh’s 4-1 loss at Cincinnati and isn’t expected to join Philadelphia until Thursday.
“Just get me there and get to know everybody,” Dickerson said. “Just get there when I can and go over everything that’s been going on and start talking about opportunity and what the plan is.”
The Phillies also acquired right-hander Dan Straily from Baltimore for cash and assigned him to Triple-A.
Straily was 2-4 with a 9.82 ERA in 14 games this season.
Dickerson won a Gold Glove last year and was an All-Star in 2017 for Tampa Bay.
“When you’re always doubted and that’s always been the weakness of your game, to accomplish it over the course of 162 is tough,” Dickerson said of his defense. “You work really hard and people don’t see all the hard work you put in, so it’s gratifying.”
Dickerson has a .285 career average with 180 doubles, 27 triples, 107 homers, 336 RBIs and an .829 OPS in with the Rockies, Tampa Bay Rays, and Pirates.
“He’s a guy that can play regularly for us,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “Corner outfield spots, can stand in center field, he has a history of playing all three. … He can certainly play multiple positions for us and hit in various spots in the lineup; against right-handed pitching, he’s especially effective in his career. He’s made some really notable adjustments along the way. He has a strikeout rate that is really an impressive feat in this league.”
The Phillies designated outfielder Dylan Cozens to make room for Dickerson on the 40-man roster.
The Phillies entered Wednesday night’s game against San Francisco tied for the top wild-card spot in the NL. They added lefty starter Jason Vargas from the Mets on Monday.
The Pirates did not move closer Felipe Vasquez despite speculation that the lefty flamethrower was in the crosshairs of the Dodgers.
