Pittsburgh Pirates News: Team Signs Outfielder Jarrod Dyson

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been looking for an outfielder for the better part of the last month.  They finally have signed an outfielder.

After trading away Starling Marte, the Pittsburgh Pirates were actively in the market looking for an outfielder.  The team was apparently looking at free-agent outfielders Billy Hamilton, Kevin Pillar, and Cameron Maybin.  Hamilton and Pillar, who made a lot of sense for the Bucs, both have signed with other teams.  Hamilton signed with the Giants and the Red Sox brought in Pillar.

The Pittsburgh Pirates had to reevaluate the free-agent market after missing out on likely their top option in Kevin Pillar.  Apparently they already found a free agent to their liking and have struck a deal.  Jon Heyman, who has been all over the Bucs outfielder search, has reported that the Pittsburgh Pirates are signing former Royals, Mariners, and Diamondbacks outfielder Jarrod Dyson.  Here is Heyman’s tweet:

Dyson obviously was not the team’s first choice but he is a solid veteran who should at least stabilize their outfield rotation.  Last year the speedy outfielder posted really strong numbers at all three outfield spots, although he will likely be manning the Pittsburgh Pirates centerfield spot.  In 2019 while playing centerfield, he accounted for five defensive runs saved to go along a solid 5.3 UZR/150.  He was a plus defender even at 35 years old.  All in all, he played in 140 games in the Diamondbacks outfield and accounted for 13 defensive runs saved along with a 12.3 UZR/150.

Offensively the left-handed-hitting Dyson leaves a lot to be desired.  Being a speed first defensive outfielder, Dyson never has really taken off with the bat.  Still, in the right situation, he can be productive enough for a team in a situation like the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Over his career, he has hit for a higher batting average against righties than lefties, .250 and .233 respectively.

Last year, however, Dyson saw his splits flip.  He hit over .300 against left-handed pitching and only hit about .220 against righties.  For his 2019 season totals, he hit just .230 with a .320 OBP and a .370 slugging percentage.  Some positives are that he struck out less than 20 percent and walked at a decent 10 percent clip.  Also, his BABIP was at .275 suggesting he suffered from some bad luck at the plate.

The biggest thing that Dyson brings as a player is his plus speed.  Dyson is now 35 years of age but still managed to steal 30 bags last year.  This is good to see because it shows that he has not really lost much of a step over the last few years. He should still be fine in the outfield when tracking the spacious PNC Park along with creating action on the base paths.

Jarrod Dyson is not a great offensive player but does good things in the outfield and on the bases.  The Pittsburgh Pirates were able to find a stable veteran who can be a stop-gap for the team in 2020.  If the Bucs decide to sell at the trade deadline, then Dyson will likely represent a solid fourth outfield type trade chip.  Hopefully, he can come in and produce for the Bucs.