In an abnormally busy week of transactions, general manager Ben Cherington swung another move to change the shape of the Pittsburgh Pirates' roster.
The team announced on Friday afternoon that they traded center fielder Jarrod Dyson to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for additional capacity in the 2019/2020 International Signing Bonus Pool. The news was first reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Dyson, 36, was signed to a one-year contract by the Pirates on February 13, just over two weeks after they traded their long-time center fielder, Starling Marte, to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for infield prospect Liover Peguero and pitching prospect Brennan Malone.
Over parts of 10 seasons prior to coming to Pittsburgh, Dyson spent time with the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, and Diamondbacks, even being the Royals' primary source of speed during their back-to-back World Series appearances in 2014 and 2015.
Dyson spent the past two seasons with the Diamondbacks. In 2019, he hit a meager .230 with seven home runs and 27 runs batted in 130 games. However, Dyson's speed still proved to be effective, as his 30 stolen bases ranked third in the entire National League.
In 51 at-bats during the 2020 season, Dyson batted a miserable .157 with five runs batted in. In his 21 games played with the Pirates, Dyson stole four bases.
For a White Sox team loaded with power and offensive talent, as shown by a 9-1 record in their last 10 games, Dyson could serve as a key speed/defensive option off of the bench for Chicago down the stretch and into the postseason.
It appears as if Cole Tucker, the shortstop turned outfielder, will hold down center field for at least the remainder of the 2020 season. The team also claimed outfielder Anthony Alford off of waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, softening the blow to depth left by Dyson's departure.
It was also reported on Friday by Tim Healey of Newsday that the New York Mets claimed outfielder Guillermo Heredia off of waivers from the Pirates. Heredia, who hit .188 with two RBIs in 16 at-bats with Pittsburgh, was designated for assignment following the team's addition of pitcher Carson Fulmer on Monday.
Coming off a doubleheader sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, the Pirates will begin a four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on Friday evening.
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