Among the Los Angeles Dodgers priorities during the offseason were filling the void at second base, finding a leadoff hitter, and acquiring a right-handed batter who could produce against left-handed pitching.
Los Angeles seemingly checked off each of the three boxes with their trade for second baseman Logan Forsythe. Los Angeles sent pitching prospect Jose De Leon to the Tampa Bay Rays in the one-for-one swap.
The Dodgers’ trade for Forsythe came after the club was linked to several other options, including Ian Kinsler of the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier. For weeks, a Dozier trade seemed inevitable.
But after reaching an impasse in trade talks, the Dodgers pivoted and quickly moved on. There will naturally be comparisons of Dozier and Forsythe this season. From his perspective, Forsythe said he doesn’t give much attention to comparisons.
According to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, a scout recently provided his opinion of the two players:
“Other than power, Logan Forsythe is just as good as Brian Dozier, maybe better,” one scout opined.
Dozier and Forsythe both had career seasons for their respective teams in 2016. After a slow start to the season, the 29-year-old Dozier caught fire in the second half and finished the year batting .268/.340/.546 with 42 home runs and 99 RBIs in 155 games.
In 127 games with the Rays, Forsythe hit .264/.333/.444 with 20 home runs and 52 RBIs. He turned 30 years old in January.
Both players have two years remaining on their current contracts, but Forsythe is thought of as a superior defender, which the Dodgers front office values. Forsythe is also regarded as a strong clubhouse leader and teammate, and someone who possesses a tireless work ethic.
