Indians acquire OF Chris Dickerson from Pirates for PTBNL

The Cleveland Indians have acquired 32-year-old outfielder Chris Dickerson from the Pittsburgh Pirates, per a team announcement. In exchange, the Pirates will receive future considerations by way of either a player to be named later or cash. Cleveland designated catcher George Kottaras for assignment in order to add Dickerson to the active roster.

Dickerson has spent a significant amount of time at the big league level every year from 2008-2013, making stops with the Reds, Brewers, Yankees, and Orioles. In 708 career plate appearances, he has hit a solid .262/.339/.406 (98 OPS+), though he posted just a 79 OPS+ in 109 plate appearances with the Orioles last year. He is generally regarded as a strong fielder capable of playing all three outfield positions. Before the trade, he was enjoying an excellent season in Triple-A, hitting .309/.407/.479 in 65 games with the Indianapolis Indians.

With Michael Bourn on the disabled list, Dickerson should receive plenty of playing time in his absence. At the moment, it appears likely that he'll make up the left side of a platoon along with Ryan Raburn

The 31-year-old Kottaras was hitting well in 27 plate appearances with Cleveland this season, posting a 1.099 OPS thanks to three home runs in his limited playing time. A seven-year major league veteran, Kottaras has always been an above-average offensive option from behind the plate, with a career OPS+ of 99 and a walk rate of 14%. It likely won't be long until he resurfaces on some team's bench.

With no true backup catcher behind starter Yan Gomes, it appears that first baseman Carlos Santana will resume playing the position in some capacity.