All signs over the past few weeks have pointed to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins eventually completing a trade involving Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier. Acquiring the All-Star would address two needs for the Dodgers: second base and a right-handed bat in the lineup.
Prior to the Dozier trade speculation, Los Angeles was first connected to Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler and Tampa Bay Rays utility man Logan Forsythe. The Dodgers reportedly view Kinsler as a strong fit for their roster, while Forsythe’s positional flexibility was of further value had Justin Turner been lost in free agency.
However, considering Turner reportedly agreed to terms on a four-year contract, and the Dodgers’ continued effort to lower payroll, a trade for Dozier appears to be the likeliest scenario.
Nonetheless, the club continues to consider Kinsler and Forsythe, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
As it stands, the Dodgers are looking at two other second basemen – the Rays’ Logan Forsythe and Tigers’ Ian Kinsler.
Potentially acquiring Kinsler presents a clear hurdle as the veteran has a limited no-trade clause, and thus would need to approve a trade to the Dodgers. Kinsler said he’d be willing to do as much, in exchange for a contract extension.
The 34-year-old has a $12 million team option ($5 million buyout) for the 2018 season, which is the final year on his current contract. Receiving a contract extension from the Dodgers would appear to be unlikely.
Los Angeles was connected to Forsythe prior to the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline. The 29-year-old has primarily played second base throughout his career, but also has experience at first base and third base.
Forsythe is owed $5.75 million in 2017 and has a $9 million club option with a $1 million buyout for 2018. Forsythe can earn additional an $500,000 each for 550 and 600 plate appearances in 2017, and another half-million dollars should he reached a combined 1,200 plate appearances from 2016-17.
Comparatively, Dozier is under contract for the next two seasons and is owed a modest $15 million ($6 million in 2017, $9 million the following year).
