One of the main priorities for the Los Angeles Dodgers front office this offseason was filling a hole at second base with a right-handed bat, as the team collectively struggled against left-handed pitching in 2016.
There were a multitude of options who seemed to fit the Dodgers’ need, and the club was connected to a bevy of second basemen since last year’s General Manager meetings. However, their focus for several weeks appeared to lie on Minnesota Twins All-Star Brian Dozier.
The 29-year-old is on a team-friendly contract, fared well against southpaws and is adequate defensively. All of which are key factors to the Dodgers.
Although Dozier appeared to be an ideal fit, trade talks between Los Angeles and Minnesota stalled. Jose De Leon was agreed upon as the centerpiece of a deal, but the issued lied with additional prospects the Twins were to receive for Dozier.
Eventually, the Dodgers pivoted to Logan Forsythe, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays on Jan. 23. While negotiations became public and although a trade was never agreed upon, Twins general manager Thad Levine complimented the Dodgers, via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
“We had healthy conversations with that franchise and they were professional throughout,” Levine said. “They informed us beforehand they would be moving in a different direction. There were some prolonged conversations, but they handled it very professionally.”
While Dozier is heading into Spring Training still a member of the Twins, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that he’s moved prior to the non-waiver trade deadline this season. Dozier did voice some displeasure over the prolonged trade speculation and direction the Twins are headed in.
Minnesota faces additional challenges with the 2017 season being the first under Levine and new chief baseball operator Derek Falvey.
