2020 Diamondbacks decisions: Jarrod Dyson

Alex Avila results

Before we get to Dyson, let’s go over the results from this exercise for catcher Alex Avila. 212 of you click through to give your opinions, and there was a narrow majority in favor of tendering him a contract, by 55-45%. When it came to the length of that contract, there was a similarly narrow majority in favor of it being a one-year deal, this beating out a two-year contract by 52-45% [the remainder voting for longer than that].

There was considerably less bi-nimity when it came to the price of the contract, with six different values, everything between $1.5 million and $4 million, getting between nine and nineteen percent, as shown in the pie chart above. The most popular was $3 million, which got 18.6% of the votes, and this was also the median selection, with 44.9% voting lower and 36.4% going higher. Based on that, the SnakePit has decided that Alex Avila should be offered a one-year contract for $3 million. Thanks to all who took part: we’ll see how that compares with Avila’s eventual contract. Now, let’s look at the next free-agent candidate.

Jarrod Dyson

Jarrod was in the second season of a two-year, $7.5 million contract, and was seeking to comeback after a groin strain caused him to miss half of the first season, limiting him to just 67 appearances in 2018. He certainly bounced back there, appearing 130 times for the D-backs this year, which was actually a new career high for Dyson. As has been the case each of the past six seasons, his value was mostly on defense, with Jarrod’s dWAR being greater than his oWAR. Indeed, his OPS+ was just 66, compared to a career value of 78, although that was still considerably better than the 45 figure posted in 2018. Still, he’s one of the rare 50th-round draft picks to have reached a decade in the major-leagues.

His positional flexibility was a significant factor, with Dyson starting double-digit games at all three outfield positions. Indeed, he and team-mate Tim Locastro were two of the sixteen players with 15+ appearances at each of left, right and center field last season. But it was perhaps significant that Dyson’s playing time did slowly decline after reaching a peak of 18 games started in June. He started 16 in July and August, and only 13 in the final month. Though it didn’t help he hit only .106 (9-for-79) after August 24, costing him 56 points off his season OPS to that point. Locastro may be a younger, cheaper alternative to Dyson, though some of his highlight-reel defense may well show up in our Play of the Year discussions.

Below, you’ll find a quick three question survey with regard to Dyson, who is now a free agent. The first question is as to whether or not he should be offered a contract at all, so it’s a straight Yes/No. If you answer Yes, move on to the second and third questions, which let you select a length and value for the offer. If you’re on mobile, or otherwise are having an issue, here’s the link.