Over the past few weeks the question has largely been when will Brian Dozier be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, not if. Despite the natural trade partner Los Angeles makes with the Minnesota Twins, the clubs have reportedly remained at odds over a trade package.
To this point it appears the Dodgers and Twins have only agreed upon Jose De Leon being the centerpiece in exchange for Dozier. For as much as Dozier has been connected to the Dodgers, other teams were said to have been involved.
However, some of that was dispelled by a report that the Twins attempted to use the St. Louis Cardinals to gain leverage on the Dodgers.
Although the Cardinals may not be in the picture, the Atlanta Braves could pose a threat to the Dodgers, according to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press:
Was told by source w/direct knowledge not to rule out #Braves as stealth landing spot for Dozier. Excess young arms (Wisler, Blair) w/upside
— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) January 6, 2017
Checked further on potential #Braves fit for Dozier and source w/direct knowledge insists match w/#mntwins would be a "long shot."
— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) January 6, 2017
Atlanta this offseason has signed R.A. Dickey, Bartolo Colon and Sean Rodriguez, and acquired Tuffy Gosewisch in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
At the time of closing in on an agreement with Rodriguez the Braves reportedly attempted to trade for Brandon Phillips, suggesting their interest in landing a bonafide second baseman is legitimate. Phillips exercised his no-trade clause to block the deal.
After recently asking teams to submit their best trade offers, the Twins reportedly are expected to decide on Dozier’s future within the next few days.
