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Chicago Cubs: Corey Dickerson could help balance the lineup
If the Chicago Cubs are going to shake things up and possibly trade some core members, a veteran like Corey Dickerson could fit into the mix.
Fans are collectively losing faith in the Chicago Cubs potentially reaching a deal with Nicholas Castellanos. This is mainly due to what looks like another limited budget the team has to work with this winter. That’s not to say it’s entirely out of the question, but seeing Theo Epstein look for other more affordable options in the outfield is a strong possibility.
Right now the Cubs’ biggest hole is center field. For the time being they have Kyle Schwarber in left and Jason Heyward in right more often than not. Even if Albert Almora is tendered a contract there is no way he will (or should) be the everyday guy out there right now. Reports from 670 the Score suggest the Cubs are looking at Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama to fill that role but more shuffling can still be done even if they do pursue him.
One option currently on the free agent board? Former All-Star and division foe Corey Dickerson. The 30-year-old outfielder spent last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies before suffering a season-ending foot injury late in the year. Expected to make a full recovery, Dickerson will be a name which attracts attention but not necessarily cost a fortune.
Chicago Cubs: There is still plenty left in the tank for the 30-year-old
Dickerson as mentioned earlier is coming off an injury-shortened season. With the Pirates and Phillies combined he played in 78 games and slashed .304/.341/.565 with 12 homers, 28 doubles, a .906 OPS, a 127 wRC+ and was a 1.0 fWAR player. Those 28 doubles in 78 certainly can raise some eyebrows.
Back in 2017 he was an All-Star with the Tampa Bay Rays, hitting a career-high 27 homers and slashing .282/.325/.490 with a 2.6 fWAR. He put up a career-high 2.8 fWAR back in 2014 with Colorado and won a Gold Glove with the Pirates in 2018. Overall he is a career .286/.328/.504 hitter with 115 homers, .832 OPS, 117 wRC+ and 11.5 fWAR in 776 games.
Take this as you will, Castellanos is a career .277/.326/.471 hitter with 120 homers and 10.4 fWAR in 888 games.
Dickerson has been a very productive hitter in his career. No he is not a walk machine, but he will get his hits and get a good number of extra-base hits. Not a leadoff guy but definitely someone who can set the table in the two-spot or bat down in the five/six spot. He is a lefty batter who has seen success against right-handers (career .290/.333/.533) and respectable numbers against southpaws, as well (career .272/.310/.409).
All told, he is a nice balanced player. Can make solid contact when needed, hit for some pop, trustworthy glove in the outfield and face both lefties and righties.
Chicago Cubs: There are some ways they could see Dickerson fit in
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One thing people who follow Corey Dickerson know is that he is a left fielder. Five hundred-forty seven of his career 571 games in the outfielder have been in left. He has played 27 games in center and six in right. As mentioned earlier the big hole is in center currently. Not to say he could not potentially slide over and spend a spring getting reps in center, but there are other ways to fit him in.
Let’s say the Cubs do make big moves and a core player moves on. If Schwarber is involved in a trade, left becomes open. If Castellanos is not re-signed and they feel Heyward can fill the main center field role, then Dickerson could get acquainted in right if they do keep Schwarber. Looking at scenarios one can conclude that a path for Dickerson to fit in with the Cubs would require Castellanos to sign elsewhere.
Does this mean they should go for Dickerson instead? Well, Dickerson does come with a slight worry with the foot injury last year. Castellanos is also younger and has more prime years ahead. However, Dickerson will no doubt be cheaper and one could look at the career numbers and see how similar the two are hitting-wise. Again, money is a big factor here.
Next. Cubs have several former players on HOF ballot. dark
A guy like Dickerson could be a very welcome addition to a Cubs team that needs some more offensive production outside the main core. A reliable lefty bat who can hit 30-some doubles a year with some home run pop can help balance things a bit more in the lineup. If the price is reasonable he is worth a look.