The Washington Nationals sign Corey Dickerson. They have agreed on a one-year deal, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The deal is for $2.25 million. Performance bonuses can move that number to $3 million. This will be Dickerson’s eighth team in his 10-year career.
Leadership
Dickerson, who turns 34 in May, joins an organization that has three consecutive last-place finishes in the NL East and is in the midst of a rebuild. Not only will he provide leadership on the field with his play and positive energy, but he will also provide veteran leadership in the clubhouse as well.
Every team Dickerson has played for and his former teammates have mentioned that he is always approachable and is a great person to have around. He is the player that is always ready to help his team because he loves the game, and he is always ready to compete.
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Fills a Void
He will certainly fill a need for this team as a platoon player. Dickerson is a left-handed hitter, which helps his new team. He’s also played all three outfield spots, though his days as a center fielder are most likely over.
He joins an outfield that includes Alex Call, Stone Garrett, Victor Robles, and Lane Thomas. He will also get starts at designated hitter along with Jeimer Candelario, Joey Meneses, and, possibly, Dominic Smith, who signed a deal last week after spending time with the New York Mets.
Impact
The Nationals signed Dickerson in the hope that he can still be an impact player. He has an All-Star appearance and won a Gold Glove. He brings 10 years of experience and a veteran presence to the clubhouse for a team looking to rebuild and retool.
Dickerson also brings his bat. He has a .281 lifetime batting average with 134 home runs and 452 RBIs. While his average since 2020 has been only .266, he is steady at the plate and has some power.
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Quiet Off-Season
It has been somewhat of a quiet off-season for the Nationals as they try to rebuild a roster through their farm system. They have only made a few moves. As the Nationals sign Dickerson and Smith, they will be joining the recently added infielder Jeimer Candelario and pitcher Trevor Williams as the veteran core coming in to help them rebuild.
Trade Candidate
We all know the rebuilding Nationals are not expected to challenge for a playoff spot in 2023. The acquisition of Dickerson gives them a potential trade piece at deadline time. He may not garner a top-ten prospect, but he can still bring a good minor-league player(s) that could turn out to be prospects someday.
Outlook
For now, Dickerson brings the team experience and leadership. He can be a calming influence on the field and in the clubhouse when times get tough. Who knows… chemistry plays an important role in team success. If the Nationals can bring the right mix of players together their chemistry might shine on the field. Dickerson’s presence can only help.
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