Pirates trade Jarrod Dyson to Chicago White Sox for international bonus pool money

In what could be the first of many moves by the Pittsburgh Pirates before the MLB trade deadline, they dealt Jarrod Dyson to the Chicago White Sox and opened up a starting spot in center field.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington announced the deal Friday afternoon. The Pirates will receive international bonus pool slot in return for Dyson, allowing them to spend an additional $243,300 in this year’s international signing period, which was extended through Oct. 15.

The Pirates had praised Dyson for his veteran leadership, especially with the way he tutored shortstop Cole Tucker in his conversion to the outfield this season and the insight he provided on his specialty, baserunning.

“I think what he left the Pirates with is energy,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said of Dyson. “He has energy every day. Something that stands out to me was how willing he was to help Tuck when Tuck made the transition into the outfield. I think one of the things he told Tuck was you have to be willing to embrace opportunities.

“I enjoyed every conversation I had with him. Honestly, he came in as a guy that was reputable as a good guy. He’s a great guy. He’s an unbelievable teammate. He watched the game. The time he spent in Kansas City, specifically with Rusty Kuntz, made him watch pitchers on how to run the bases, how to do specific things. There’s a lot of knowledge in this guy, and I enjoyed being around him every day, and I was happy for the time of being able to manage him.”

Dyson made some profound statements about race relations, with both his words and by taking a knee to protest racial and social injustice during the national anthem on Opening Day at St. Louis. And Dyson kept things loose with his levity in the clubhouse and showcased his elite speed on both the basepaths and in the outfield.

“It’s tough to describe what kind of person Jarrod is. Definitely the life of the clubhouse. Definitely an incredible human being, incredible baseball player,” Pirates first baseman Josh Bell said. “We’re excited for him and his next chapter. He’s definitely going to be sorely missed. I was sad to see him go, but we get it. It’s part of the game.”

But Dyson, who started 15 games and played in 21, didn’t hit his weight — which is saying something for a player generously listed at 5-foot-9, 165 pounds. He batted .157 (8 for 51) with five RBIs and four stolen bases. The Pirates used Dyson as a pinch runner in the eighth inning of the first game of the doubleheader on Thursday at St. Louis, and he scored the go-ahead run in the 4-3 victory.

The Pirates signed Dyson, 36, to a one-year, $2-million free-agent deal in February as a stopgap in center after they traded Starling Marte to the Arizona Diamondbacks in January for a pair of 19-year-old prospects. They also signed veteran outfielder Guillermo Heredia, who was optioned to the team’s alternate training site in Altoona.

Those free-agent failures have opened the door for more playing time for Tucker and, possibly, other young outfielders. The Pirates claimed Anthony Alford off waivers Thursday from the Toronto Blue Jays and recalled Jason Martin on Friday from their alternate training site in Altoona. The Pirates also have center field candidates in Altoona in Jared Oliva and 2018 first-round pick Travis Swaggerty.

Martin was named the starting center fielder for Friday’s game at the Milwaukee Brewers, as Tucker got the day after playing both games of the doubleheader at St. Louis the day before. Tucker credited both Dyson and outfielders coach Tarrik Brock with helping his transition to the outfield and his development in center.

“It’s been a work in progress, and you guys have seen it happen and watched it unfold in front of all you guys,” Tucker said. “It’s been fun. I’m learning something every day, from Dyson, from Tarrik. It’s a lot of newness, that’s for sure.”