The first full squad workout down in Port Charlotte is Monday. On Saturday night the Rays shook things up in a big way dealing RHP Jake Odorizzi to the Twins, acquiring a first baseman in C.J. Cron from the Angels, and in doing so designated DH/OF Corey Dickerson for assignment.
Let’s break it all down in sequential order, shall we?
Did they get their man?
Cron, 28, has never played in more than 116 games in a season in his four year MLB career, all with the Angels. However, he has plenty of pop and comes cheap at $2.3M. In 2017 playing in 100 games he slugged 16 home runs and drove in 56. Despite his .248/.305/.437 slash, he had a much better second half of 2017. Post All Star break, Cron hit .267 and slugged .512 for the Halos in 63 games. Another attractive thing Cron brings to the Rays is his control. He won’t become a free agent until 2021.
The Rays had an opening at first base and they got their man.
Dickerson designated.
There were rumors swirling most of the off-season that Dickerson could be shopped. He just settled on a $5.9M salary for 2018 avoiding arbitration. To make room for Cron on the 40-man – he wound up being the spot opened up. Despite being the starting DH for the AL in the All Star game back in July, he had a huge drop off in the second half of 2017. From July-October Dickerson’s line was a very mortal .241/.282/.408 with a .690 OPS.
Details in story, but #Rays DFA’d Dickerson bc they didn’t have much trade market given $5.95M salary, wanted to create urgency to try to bring what talks they had to conclusion, reduced dollars committed to about $1M w/ early release, paying 1/6 of salary in termination pay
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 18, 2018
The Rays have 10 days to trade, release, or pass him through waivers.
Odorizzi heads to the Twin cities.
Rounding out their busy Saturday night, the Rays sent Odorizzi to Minnesota for high-A shortstop prospect Jermaine Palacios.
Funny enough, our own Kris Dunn predicted this is exactly where Odorizzi would end up way back in early December.
He departs after five seasons among the Rays leaders all-time in many categories including 124 starts (fifth), 698 innings (sixth), 40 wins (tied for sixth) and 639 strikeouts (fifth). Odorizzi had just won his arbitration case with the Rays for the second year in a row. He’ll make $6.3M in 2018.
Palacios, 21, was an international free agent signing by the Twins in 2013 from Venezuela. Over four minor league seasons, he has hit .290/.345/.426 (342-for-1,178) with 63 doubles, 23 triples, 17 home runs, 161 RBI and 46 stolen bases.
