More thoughts on Tuesday's transactions
Corey Dickerson's major league debut came June 22, 2013, when the then-24-year-old started in right field and batted sixth for the Rockies on a Saturday afternoon in Washington. He doubled twice, helped his team to a 7-1 victory and thought to himself: "This is a nice ballpark."
"I remember like it was yesterday," Dickerson said Tuesday, nearly a decade later. "It was amazing. I still remember that first at-bat and just walking out on the field for the first time. I felt like this is what the big leagues is all about. I always remember the Nats' stadium because of that."
Dickerson will get a chance to make some new memories at Nationals Park this season, his winding career having now brought him to D.C. as a member of the home team after stops in Colorado, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Miami, Toronto and St. Louis. Now 33, he signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Nats on Tuesday and figures to open the season as their starting left fielder, playing mostly against right-handed pitching.
It's been a winding path for Dickerson, not only in the stops he's made but in the different types of player he's been along the way. He mashed 24-plus homers in three different seasons early in his career. He won a Gold Glove Award in 2018. He hit .304 with a .906 OPS in 2019. Then while battling injuries and reduced playing time, he focused more on being a good contact hitter in recent years.
Some might look down upon a guy who has worn seven different uniforms the last seven seasons. Dickerson, though, doesn't view it as a negative.
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Nats claim Alexy from Texas, drop Fox from roster
The Nationals claimed right-hander A.J. Alexy off waivers from the Rangers, dropping infielder Lucius Fox from their 40-man roster in the process.
Alexy, 24, was designated for assignment last week by the Rangers. He pitched in nine big league games for them (four of those starts) over the last two seasons, producing a 6.30 ERA and 1.633 WHIP.
Alexy spent the majority of this season starting for Texas' Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock, where he struggled to a 5.91 ERA and 1.708 WHIP. His biggest problem areas: walks (5.3 per nine innings) and home runs (25 allowed in 96 innings).
Originally an 11th round pick of the Dodgers in 2016, Alexy was one of three players dealt to the Rangers in 2017 for ace Yu Darvish. His best season came in 2021, when he finished with a 1.66 ERA and 1.015 WHIP in 65 combined innings at Round Rock and Double-A Frisco.
Alexy doesn't figure to be a serious contender for a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day rotation, but they continue to seek pitching help for Triple-A Rochester. The right-hander still has an option year remaining, so he could be sent up and down up to five times during the 2023 season if the Nats so wanted.
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