Update: 3:44 p.m.
The Phillies agreed to a deal with the Pirates shortly before Wednesday's trade deadline to acquire corner outfielder Corey Dickerson, a legitimately good hitter who will help their lineup and will help their bench. The Phillies will send international signing money and a player to be named later to Pittsburgh.
To make room for Dickerson on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated Dylan Cozens for assignment.
Dickerson, 30, was hitting .317 with a .931 OPS for the Pirates. He had 18 doubles and four homers in just 141 plate appearances.
A left-handed hitter, Dickerson has hit .293 the last three seasons with an .823 OPS. He spent much of this season on the injured list, sidelined by a right shoulder issue.
He's been on fire in the month of July, hitting .328 with a .391 OBP. He's a left-handed hitter who does most of his damage against righties, but 70 percent of starting pitchers are righties so that is the preferable platoon split to have.
Over the last two seasons, Dickerson has slugged .519 against righties, more than 30 points higher than Bryce Harper. His .303 battting average against righties since the start of 2018 is fourth-best in the majors among lefties, behind only Christian Yelich, Michael Brantley and Freddie Freeman.
MLB
Dickerson will fit well into the 5- or 6-spot in the Phillies' lineup while Jay Bruce recovers from an oblique strain, and once Bruce returns, either he or Dickerson would become the top bat off the bench. Dickerson is the better and more well-rounded hitter. Regardless of which left-handed hitting corner outfielder sees more reps, it will be an overall improvement to the Phillies' offense. Dickerson could also hit first or second for the Phillies.
The Phillies figure to move Scott Kingery to third base, play Adam Haseley in center field and Dickerson in left and off the bench. Maikel Franco would likely be the odd man out and serve as more of a pinch-hitter.
Dickerson is owed just under $3 million the rest of this season before becoming a free agent.
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