For the better part of a month the Los Angeles Dodgers have been connected to multiple external options at second base. While the Dodgers were said to view Ian Kinsler of the Detroit Tigers as a strong fit for their roster, they’ve most prominently been linked to Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier.
The one-time All-Star is coming off a career season in which he batted .268/.340/.546 with 35 doubles, 42 home runs, 99 RBI and a 136 OPS+ over 155 games. Dozier set career highs in on-base plus slugging percentage (.886), doubles, home runs, RBI and OPS+.
He’s under contract through the 2018 season, owed $6 million in 2017 and $9 million the following year.
Although the Dodgers and Twins have reportedly maintained contact over a potential trade, a deal does not appear to be hear completion, per Darren Wolfson of KTSP:
#MNTwins official w/ fingerprints all over Dozier trade talks: "Nothing is imminent." Has to be a very strong offer to move him.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) December 17, 2016
It’s believed the Twins’ return for Dozier would be headlined by Jose De Leon. Although Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has resisted trading any of the organization’s top prospects, the club reportedly is willing to move De Leon.
A previous report indicated Minnesota had interest in right-hander Brock Stewart. Acquiring Dozier would add to the Dodgers’ successful offseason thus far.
They solidified the starting rotation by re-signing Rich Hill, and addressed key needs by reportedly agreeing to terms with Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner.
