From All-Star, to off the team.  In a surprising move on the eve of position players reporting to Rays spring training camp in Port Charlotte, the team cut ties with outfielder/designater hitter Corey Dickerson.

  • Dickerson had 27 homers, 62 RBI last season
  • Odorizzi went 10-8 with 4.14 ERA
  • Team acquires C.J. Cron

Just a few minutes later, the team announced that starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi was traded to the Minnesota Twins, with the Rays acquiring SS prospect Jermaine Palacios.

The 2017 All-Star Dickerson was designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster when Tampa Bay acquired first baseman C.J. Cron from the Anaheim Angels.

Tampa Bay Times Rays beat writer Marc Topkin is reporting these are salary-cutting moves by the Rays.

Fresh off of a career year in which the 5-year veteran hit .282, slugged 27 home runs and drove in 62 runs, Dickerson was slated to make $5.95 million after agreeing to terms with the club in January to avoid arbitration.

Dickerson led the 2017 Rays in runs (84) and hits (166) and was just the fourth player in team history to start an All-Star game, after becoming the fans' selection to start at DH.

Cron is coming off of a down year with the Angels, as he produced career-lows in batting average and slugging percentage over 100 games in 2017.

His 16 home runs did tie his career-high, as it was the third straight season he finished with 16 long balls.

Odorizzi had double-digit wins three times in four seasons in Tampa. He went 10-8 last year with a 4.14 ERA.

The 21-year old prospect Palacios has a .290 career average in four minor league seasons, but has yet to play above High-Class A.  Prior to the 2017 season, the Venezuelan was ranked the 27th-best prospect in the Twins minor league system.