Orioles sign Dickerson to minor league deal (updated)

The Orioles will bring another outfielder to camp next month, having signed Chris Dickerson to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Dickerson, who turns 31 in April, batted .316/.417/.515 with 24 doubles, seven homers and 25 RBIs in 69 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Yankees' top minor league affiliate affiliate. Dickerson, who bats from the left side, is a career .266/.352/.407 hitter in 599 plate appearances with the Reds, Brewers and Yankees. He appeared in 25 games with the Yankees last season, batting .286/.412/.714 with two homers, five RBIs and three stolen bases in 17 plate appearances. The Orioles are well-stocked with outfielders. They re-signed Nate McLouth, traded for Trayvon Robinson, signed Lew Ford, Jason Pridie and Conor Jackson to minor league deals and have Steve Pearce under team control. Jackson has mostly played first base in the majors, but he's also appeared in 207 games in the outfield. Nolan Reimold is expected to be full-go for spring training, giving manager Buck Showalter another option in left field and at designated hitter. Also, Xavier Avery and LJ Hoes will be in camp, though they're expected to be assigned later to Norfolk. The Reds selected Dickerson, who plays all three outfield positions, in the 16th round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft. His OBP obviously caught the attention of executive vice president Dan Duquette. Update: Duquette, who flew to the Dominican Republic earlier this week to check on players at the academy, sent the following text: "Chris Dickerson adds OB capability and good defense at all three OF positions to our club."