After ranking the top-10 third basemen heading into the 2017 season, MLB Network’s The Shredder turned its attention to second basemen. That currently remains a position of need for the Los Angeles Dodgers, which, unlike third base, resulted in Los Angeles not placing a player in the top-10.
However, multiple second basemen the Dodgers have been connected to this offseason did appear, led by Ian Kinsler of the Detroit Tigers at No. 5. The Shredder ranked Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier at eighth, and Tampa Bay Rays infielder Logan Forsythe No. 9.
The 34-year-old Kinsler batted .288/.348/.484 with 29 doubles, 28 home runs, 83 RBIs and a 124 OPS+ in 153 games last season. He was more than just an offensive threat, as Kinsler won the first Gold Glove Award of his career.
Dozier set career highs in on-base plus slugging percentage (.886), doubles (35), home runs (42), RBI (99) and OPS+ (136) last season. He finished the year batting .268/.340/.546 with a 136 OPS+, .370 wOBA and 132 wRC+ in 155 games.
Forsythe batted .264/.333/.444 with 24 doubles, 20 home runs, 52 RBIs and a 113 OPS+ over 567 plate appearances in 127 games last season. His .778 on-base plus slugging percentage was down from an .804 clip in 2015 but nonetheless was the second-best mark of Forsythe’s career.
So far this offseason the Dodgers front office has focused on pitching and third base, re-signing Rich Hill, Kenley Jansen and Turner. They have attempted to trade for a second baseman, but to no avail.
Los Angeles has primarily been linked to Dozer, but talks reportedly reached an impasse one week ago. The Dodgers and Twins are said to be at odds over which prospects should be included along with Jose De Leon in the trade.
Kinsler and Dozier were recently ranked top 10 second basemen by ESPN, while Forsythe was an honorable mention in the same rankings.
| Rank | The Shredder | Brian Kenny | Harold Reynolds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jose Altuve (Astros) | Jose Altuve (Astros) | Robinson Cano (Mariners) |
| 2 | Robinson Cano (Mariners) | Robinson Cano (Mariners) | Jose Altuve (Astros) |
| 3 | Daniel Murphy (Nationals) | Daniel Murphy (Nationals) | Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox) |
| 4 | Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox) | Ian Kinsler (Tigers) | Rougned Odor (Rangers) |
| 5 | Ian Kinsler (Tigers) | Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox) | Ian Kinsler (Tigers) |
| 6 | Jason Kipnis (Indians) | D.J. LeMahieu (Rockies) | Jason Kipnis (Indians) |
| 7 | D.J. LeMahieu (Rockies) | Brian Dozier (Twins) | Brian Dozier (Twins) |
| 8 | Brian Dozier (Twins) | Jason Kipnis (Indians) | Daniel Murphy (Nationals) |
| 9 | Logan Forsythe (Rays) | Ben Zobrist (Cubs) | D.J. LeMahieu (Rockies) |
| 10 | Ben Zobrist (Cubs) | Jonathan Villar (Brewers) | Jonathan Schoop (Orioles) |
