Beyond addressing key elements of their team — starting rotation, closer and third base — the Los Angeles Dodgers may very well have a need at second base. Chase Utley was one of nine Dodgers to become a free agent, and Howie Kendrick was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.
Internal options to play second base include Charlie Culberson, Kiké Hernandez and Micah Johnson. Though, Culberson isn’t an everyday player, the Dodgers appear to prefer keeping Hernandez in a utility role, and Johnson has struggled against Major League pitching.
Los Angeles reportedly views Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler as a good fit for their roster, and are also said to have interest in right-handed ace Justin Verlander.
Another option for the Dodgers may be Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier, who ESPN’s Jim Bowden said was the subject of trade talks at the 2016 General Manager meetings, via
during a segment on MLB Network Radio:
.@JimBowden_ESPN: #Dodgers had a discussion with #Twins at the GM Meetings re: Brian Dozier. "I wasn't supposed to leak that out."
Whoops.
— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) November 11, 2016
Dozier, 29, improved from his 2015 All-Star campaign to hit .268/.340/.546 with 35 doubles, 42 home runs, 99 RBI, a 136 OPS+, .370 wOBA and 132 wRC+ in 155 games this season.
Of importance to the Dodgers, Dozier was effective against left-handed pitching, batting .282/.352/.613 with 11 home runs and 21 RBI in 159 plate appearances.
It was previously reported the Twins drew plenty of interest on their second baseman during the annual GM meetings. Dozier is owned a modest $15 million ($6 million in 2017) over the next two seasons.
