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That Balls Outta Here

Phillies: Checking in on the players who left this offseason

By George Stockburger

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 15: Maikel Franco #7 of the Kansas City Royals reacts to striking out against the Minnesota Twins with the bases loaded during the first inning of game two of a doubleheader at Target Field on August 15, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 15: Maikel Franco #7 of the Kansas City Royals reacts to striking out against the Minnesota Twins with the bases loaded during the first inning of game two of a doubleheader at Target Field on August 15, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 12: Corey Dickerson #23 of the Miami Marlins at bat during a simulated game at Marlins Park on July 12, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 12: Corey Dickerson #23 of the Miami Marlins at bat during a simulated game at Marlins Park on July 12, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Phillies fans wanted the team to re-sign Corey Dickerson, but there wasn’t room

When the Phillies acquired Corey Dickerson from the Pittsburgh Pirates last summer, it was a bit of a surprise. The team needed help on offense, but Dickerson wasn’t the first guy who came to mind.

That’s not to says Dickerson wasn’t a productive player in Pittsburgh, Colorado, and Tampa Bay. From 2013-18 he was a career .284 hitter and had recently hit over .300 a couple of times in his career. He’d also been selected to an All-Star game in 2017 and won a Gold Glove the following season.

When the Phillies acquired Dickerson for international bonus slot money and player to be named, he was tasked with replacing another former Pirate, Andrew McCutchen, in left field after McCutchen tore his ACL. Jay Bruce had also been brought in, but he also dealt with injuries and wasn’t a natural left fielder.

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 04: Corey Dickerson #31 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Chicago White Sox during a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 4, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The White Sox defeated the Phillies 10-5. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Dickerson did his job at the plate when he was healthy, hitting eight home runs with a .293 batting average in 34 games down the stretch. There was a large contingent of Phillies fans who wanted the team to re-sign Dickerson to play left field in 2020, but there weren’t any spots for him with the DH not yet in the picture.

In January, Dickerson signed a two year, $17.5 million contract with Miami to be their everyday left fielder and a veteran on a very young team. In the opening series against his former team, Dickerson had four hits, including a double and home run, in three games. He was off to the same start that he had in Philadelphia.

After the Marlins returned from their COVID-19 shutdown, Dickerson has struggled both at the plate and in the field. He’s hit .171 with only one extra-base hit in 10 games, though he’s walked five times and struck out seven.

He also made a costly error against the Mets in left, dropping a ball on a sliding catch.

Dickerson is a good ballplayer and the sudden stop to Miami’s season didn’t do him any favors. He’s a good piece for the young Marlins team and could be trade bait next year if the Marlins aren’t in contention.

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