Corey Dickerson with the Rays. Photo by Del Mecum/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (8861584as) Pittsburgh Pirates will enter the 2018 MLB season with another All-Star player on their roster. The team has announced on Thursday that they have acquired outfielder Corey Dickerson from Tampa Bay Rays. The Pirates sent pitcher Daniel Hudson, minor league infielder Tristan Gray and cash considerations in the opposite direction.According to reports, Dickerson will be Pittsburgh's starting left fielder, joining right fielder Gregory Polanco and center fielder Starling Marte in the outfield.“Corey Dickerson adds a quality power threat to our lineup as evidenced by his 60-plus extra-base hits and 20-plus home runs each of the past two seasons,” – said the Pirates general manager Neal Huntington in a statement. “Corey is a driven player who will also add a quality presence to our clubhouse.“ align="left">TRADE: Pirates acquire OF Corey Dickerson from the Rays in exchange for pitcher Daniel Hudson, minor league infielder Tristan Gray and cash considerations. pic.twitter.com/evvi5sMQkV align="left">— Pirates (@Pirates) February 22, 2018 The Rays made Dickerson designated for assignment on Saturday which meant he was immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster. The team had the option to return the 28-year-old to the roster in 10 days, waive him, release him or make a trade, which was what eventually happened. The decision to make Dickerson designated for assignment didn't sit well with plenty of people, including the Rays former star Evan Longoria. “It's kind of a shame,” – Longoria said on Sunday. “I don't understand it. The guy was an All-Star last year. He's in his early prime. He's still controllable. It just doesn't make sense to me. I think it's pretty obvious that the guy is a valuable player and didn't deserve to be DFA"d.”Corey Dickerson managed 27 home runs in the 2017 season, which got him a spot on the American League All-Star team. During his MLB career, which he started with the Colorado Rockies in 2013, Dickerson has .280 batting average and 90 home runs.
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