MLB’s offseason isn’t just about guys signing 9-figure contracts, but also about the cogs who help build contenders and championship teams. Players like Jarrod Dyson, who is on the radar of a few teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays have shown interested in Dyson earlier in the offseason, but as usual, are slow to move due to a tough salary structure they have to navigate. The Giants want more help in the outfield even after adding Andrew McCutchen, but for them, Dyson is one of a number of players they’re looking at to help at center field.
For the Orioles, it looks like Dyson is a more serious option. Because one of their offseason goals was getting a left-handed outfielder to join to their platoon which includes four right-handers and one switch hitter.
Dyson, 33, hasn’t stayed healthy throughout his major league career (debut in 2010; played in two World Series with the Royals), and isn’t much of a hitter. His career slash line is .258/.324/.340, including batting just .251 last season with the Seattle Mariners along with 5 home runs in 11 games.
But Dyson comes in handy with his legs and glove. He has 55 defensive runs and a 52.1 UZR since 2010, with an impressive 10 DRS and 5.4 UZR last season with the Mariners. Considering Adam Jones is immovable at CF for Baltimore, Dyson will probably play in right field. Last season the Orioles finished 23rd in DRS and 29th in UZR. They need help on defense, badly.
And Dyson’s legs come in handy on offense too, with 28 stolen bases on 35 attempts last season, another category the Orioles struggled with last season. He has 204 stolen bases for his career, 26 or more in each of the last 6 seasons. In terms of his strengths, he fits the Orioles just fine. The only issue is convincing them that his health is worth taking a chance on. Dyson made $2.8 million last season playing for Seattle, and his salary isn’t expected to be an issue.