Pirates reportedly agree to deal with speedy center fielder Jarrod Dyson

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates are adding another center fielder to their roster, as they reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with 10-year veteran Jarrod Dyson on Wednesday.

The deal is pending Dyson passing a physical exam.

The Pirates have agreed to a Major League deal with outfielder Jarrod Dyson, according to a source. Not official yet, as it’s pending a physical. Adding a speed-and-defense center fielder like Dyson should allow Bryan Reynolds to remain in left field.

— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) February 12, 2020

Dyson, 35, was a 50th-round draft pick who has a career .247/.319/.338 slash line. He is known for his defense and speed more than his bat and has a World Series championship on his resume. He has stolen 30 or more bases five times, including last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

A a career highlight came when Dyson scored the go-ahead run for the Kansas City Royals in the 12th inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series, sparking a five-run rally for a 7-2 victory that clinched the championship. As a pinch runner for Salvador Perez, Dyson stole second base, reached third on a groundout and scored on Christian Colon’s single to left field.

Dyson spent seven seasons with the Royals, one with the Seattle Mariners and the past two with the Diamondbacks. The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder slashed .230/.313/.320 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs last season, when he started 91 games. He played all three outfield positions — 89 games in center, 20 in right and 15 in left — and appeared in 13 as a pinch hitter.

Dyson joins Guillermo Heredia and JT Riddle as free agents the Pirates have signed this offseason in an attempt to replace Starling Marte in center. Marte was traded to Arizona last month for a pair of 19-year-old prospects.

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