4 position players the Blue Jays should target as minor league depth

OF Corey Dickerson

The last name worth mentioning, and perhaps the most recognizable to Jays fans, is former Blue Jays outfielder Corey Dickerson.

After arriving to the Jays along with Adam Cimber from the Miami Marlins in 2021, Dickerson has spent time in St. Louis and Washington, playing more of a part-time role and only managing a 90 OPS+ over 146 games. His most recent tenure ended with a release from the Nationals in August of last year. 

The former All-Star’s last period of consistent offensive production actually came during his Blue Jays, where he posted a 109 OPS+. Now in 2024 and entering his age 35 season, an offensive rebirth may be a tough sell, but Dickerson still has tools worthy of a minor league deal. 

Dickerson offers a similar skillset to that of Segura, albeit the opposite side of a platoon. The left-handed outfielder rarely strikeouts out and hardly whiffs, yielding a 18.4% and 22.4% in those areas respectively. He’s a career .286 hitter against right-handed pitching with a .827 OPS. As this roster currently stands, it’d actually be feasible to see him crack the roster out of camp given the clubs lack of left-handed weapons and no primary DH. The Blue Jays are still likely to add a DH however, so Dickerson would be likely ticketed for Buffalo should he rejoin the organization.

Dickerson would bolster a relatively shallow pool of outfield depth at Triple-A, as the majority of Buffalo’s offensive talent resides in the infield. If the Blue Jays wish to continue Addison Barger’s transition to the outfield, he’ll be in right field. That leaves Nathan Lukes as the only other likely everyday player in the Bisons outfield. Cam Eden enters 2024 having made his MLB debut, but it’s not a foregone conclusion he’s guaranteed consistent playing time after only managing a .687 OPS in Triple-A last season. The other notable player in the outfield picture is Rafael Lantigua, but he’s looked at as a utility-man rather than solely an outfielder.

It’s clear Dickerson would have a primary role in Buffalo should he be relegated there out of the gate, but his skillset provides considerable depth to the MLB club as well. A left-handed hitter who doesn’t strikeout and is capable of playing all three outfield spots could be an asset should the team have injuries mid-season.