After a season spent with Chase Utley as the starting second baseman, the Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be in store for a change come 2017. While it remains plausible the Dodgers will re-sign Utley, the veteran returning as an everyday starter seems unlikely.
And now that Howie Kendrick is with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Dodgers are without a clear option to plug in at second base. General manager Farhan Zaidi mentioned Kiké Hernandez, Micah Johnson and Chris Taylor as candidates to take over.
Though, Hernandez has primarily played the outfield, and Johnson and Taylor lack extensive experience in the Majors.
The Dodgers have been linked to multiple external options, including Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier. Minnesota and Los Angeles were said to have discussed a trade involving Dozier at the General Manager meetings.
According to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press, a trade between the Dodgers and Twins appears unlikely:
Dozier talks b/t #mntwins and #Dodgers don't seem to have much traction at this point. "I wouldn't hold your breath," one official said.
— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) November 21, 2016
Named an All-Star in 2015 for the first time in his career, Dozier batted .268/.340/.546 with 35 doubles, 42 home runs, 99 RBI, a 136 OPS+, .370 wOBA and 132 wRC+ in 155 games this season. At just 29 years old, Dozier fits the Dodgers’ vision of fielding a roster capable of winning the World Series in the near- and long-term.
What’s more, Dozier was strong against left-handed pitching in 2016, hitting .282/.352/.613 with 11 home runs and 21 RBI in 159 plate appearances.
Beyond Dozier the Dodgers have also been tied to Pittsburgh Pirates free agent Sean Rodriguez and Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler. Though in Kinsler’s case, he’s seeking a contract extension in exchange to waiving a limited no-trade clause.
